George E. DENNEWITZ

1915 - 2014

News Death Notice

DENNEWITZ, George E. Age 99, passed away peacefully on Nov 3, 2014 at Heartland of Centerville. He was born July 15, 1915 in Detroit, Michigan. He was a son of Clifford and Freda (Ludmann) Dennewitz. He was a graduate of Ohio Military School. George was the Chillicothe family graduate of OMS that was selected by the president of Kenyon College to receive a full four year scholarship to attend Kenyon College to further his education. In 1937 in his father's, Dennewitz Machine Shop, located in Chillicothe, Ohio, George built the largest Cloud Chamber in the world for the study of the cosmic ray and completed it at Kenyon College where it was to be used. The Ohio State University requested the president of Kenyon College to allow George to come help OSU get their cosmic cloud chamber to work. While at OSU, George picked up 4 credits taking classes under the direction of Dr. Poole, the physics director of OSU. After graduation from Kenyon College in 1939, he worked at the college for one year as a Laboratory Technician responsible for the equipment used in teaching the physics, chemistry, biology and psychology classes. In 1940 he began his career of 33 years at Wright Patterson AFB working as a physicist until his retirement in 1972. After retirement, WPAFB requested George to return and work for one more year to train and supervise his replacement. George started his business of Precision Camera Repair Service in the upstairs level of his home in 1940. In the year 1949 he expanded the business and opened his shop where PCRS continued until digital cameras started making film cameras obsolete in the year 2006. He was a Mason for 60 plus years of New Carlisle chapter No. 57. He was also a member of the New Carlisle lodge No. 100 Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons. George's hobbies included flying his very own Piper Cub airplane, being a member of the "Old Timers" bowling league, which he bowled with until he reached the age of 94. Fishing, as well as being a member of the BassMasters Club, gardening, and woodworking. He enjoyed summer vacations at his Gaylord, Michigan cottage that he purchased in 1954. He is survived by a daugther, Janet & Alan Mortimer; granddaughter, Jackie & Randy Teaney; great grandchildren, Evan & Erin Teaney; extended family members, Paul, Mark & Karl Heiland, Lori Coulton, Lee Mortimer & Marianne Frantz along with their families. Sister-in-law, Pam Dennewitz, and nephew, Douglas Dennewitz of London, Ohio; Joyce Sharp, Marsha Dennewitz, Eric Dennewitz and Lisa Pacheco all of Visalia, California; nieces, & nephew, Nancy Sandlin, Marjorie Pike, Barbara Richards, Carol Morris & Robert Mossbarger; great nieces & nephews; special friends, Kelly Frame Russell, Brooks & Rose Adkins, Betty Scarff, Dave Bohlender; numerous friends of Gaylord, Michigan. To those that touched his heart, a special thanks to the staff and rehab department at Heartland of Centerville. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Charlotte Alice (Mossbarger) Dennewitz; a son, Roger Dennewitz; two brothers, Richard & Kenneth Dennewitz; nephews, Timothy Dennewitz & Ronald Reisinger; niece, Judy Rhinesmith. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Thursday, November 6, 2014 at the TROSTEL, CHAPMAN, DUNBAR & FRALEY FUNERAL HOME, New Carlisle, Ohio. Funeral services will be 10 AM Friday in the funeral home with Pastor Randy Grimes officiating with Masonic service at 10. Burial will be at 2 PM Friday at the Grandview Cemetery, Chillicothe, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.trostelchapman.com