May 26, 1933 - December 14, 2023
Dennis Roy Kuhl, Age 90
Dennis Roy Kuhl died December 14, 2023 at Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Hospital in Spokane. He was born May 26, 1933 to Lucille and Roy Kuhl in Missoula, MT. The Kuhl family moved to Spokane, where Dennis graduated from West Valley High School. He later completed his BA degree attending night classes at Whitworth University. Dennis married the love of his life, Elaine Fothergill, on July 17, 1954 in Spokane. They had four children and traveled the US as a Navy family.
At the age of 18, Dennis enlisted with the US Navy, serving for 22 years. His years in the service afforded him many unique opportunities around the United States. Most of his Naval Career kept him on the west coast – California, Hawaii and Alaska. Dennis was stationed in Hawaii and witnessed the JFK motorcade months before his assassination. California afforded him the chance to participate in the recovery mission of Apollo 14. His only tour of duty east of the Mississippi was at Camp David, Maryland during the Johnson presidency. Three years in Kodiak, Alaska provided plenty of opportunities to crab and fish for salmon and halibut. He retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1972 and moved to Spokane.
Dennis began working at Equifax as a home inspector in Spokane. Four years later, he was hired by the State of Washington and moved to Wenatchee. His employment with DSHS Child Support Division allowed him to transfer back to Spokane then later to Tumwater. Dennis retired from the State in 1992 and moved home to Spokane.
He loved life and the outdoors. Many interests included gardening, hunting fishing, huckleberry and mushroom picking. After retirement, Denny and Elaine bought an RV and enjoyed camping at Priest Lake where they could pick huckleberries and cruise the lake. Dennis was no stranger to volunteer work. He relished his time as a Senior Volunteer with the Spokane Police Department. Dennis also prepared the newsletter for the USS Helena Organization, as well as attending many shipmate reunions around the US.
Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine and two sons, John and Kevin. He is survived by daughter Susan (Dave) and son Scott (Shannon); three grandchildren Tami (Austin), Molly (Chris) and Connor (Natalie) and two great grandchildren, Emme and Kellen, all of Spokane. He also leaves behind his beloved toy poodle, Sandy.
A memorial service will be held in the spring at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, 21702 W Espanola Rd, Medical Lake. Pacific Northwest Cremation is handling arrangements. Please visit their tribute wall at www.pnwcremation.com to leave remembrances and photos of Dennis. The family would like to thank the awesome staff at Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Hospital for the most compassionate care and concern during his hospitalizations this year. -
