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Dennis Fish Obituary
Dennis Karl Fish
Born July 10, 1938 to Arthur Fish and Esther Edman in Dupree, SD, he moved to Washington when his father was drafted and stationed at Fort Lewis. He attended Cleveland High School and Western Washington University. Dennis taught biology for 30 years at Lake Stevens High School until retiring in 1990. He directed several plays and was Senior Class advisor. He ran a t-shirt and button-making company, was part of the investing group, Profit, and supported the Jet Chapter of the Knights of Malta. More recently, Dennis turned his talents to Arts West where he was the Late Night Impresario. Those who were fortunate enough to be near him benefited from his generous heart, as he gave so freely. He will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his sister, Evelyn Griffin and husband, Marvin; nephew, Arthur Griffin; niece, Cathy Fenton and husband, John; great-nephews, Conor Jacobson, Cory Jacobson and wife, Shylah, Jim Fenton and Johnny Fenton; great-nieces: Lindsay Knight and husband, Mark, and Kayla Griffin.
There is no memorial service per Dennis's wishes.
Memorial contributions are welcome at:
Bailey-Boushay House 2720 East Madison
Seattle, WA 98112-4738 (206) 322-5300 www.virginiamason.org/bbh
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dennis Fish
Myron Jenkins
April 24, 2011
Dennis was a great guy. To know him was to love him. I was always glad to see him come in to visit at ArtsWest. We weren't ready to say goodbye to him, but he was wanted elsewhere. We will miss everything he brought to all of us.
Don Johnson
April 22, 2011
I had Mr. Fish for biology my sofhomore year. I was a very shy guy and seemed to be on the fringe of trouble. One day Mr. Fish said he wanted to see me after school in the cafeteria. I wondered what I had done wrong. I met Mr. Fish and he gave me a piece of paper and said read this. We were near the stage in the cafeteria, and I did so. He went half way back and said read it again and I did. He went all the way to the back and said read it again, and I did. He took the paper back and I was relieved that I wasn't in trouble. The next day some kids were looking at a posting on the bulletin board by his room, and said "DJ" you got the lead in the play. I didn't even know I had tried out. Mr. Fish saw something in me and my life changed because of him and his love for theatre. Thanks again Dennis, you will be missed. Don "DJ" Johnson Redmond, Oregon LSHS class of 1966
Karen Echelbarger- Harbo
April 21, 2011
Mr. Fish, As so many have said you hear his name and just smile! Enough said!
Vicki Peterson-Weir
April 21, 2011
Mr. Fish was a gifted teacher who encouraged his students to ask questions and seek answers. Lake Stevens High School was a better place because of his influence. At our recent class of 75 reunion, his name was mentioned with more frequency than any other teacher.
Jim Knapp
April 21, 2011
How can one think about Mr. Fish and not smile? He was a great and caring Senior Advisor. When I hear Barbara Streisand sing, I can't help but think of Mr. Fish. (He played her records in his office while we studied Biology). All of the "Ologies" he worked so hard to get us to memorize "Ichthyology always comes to my mind!!!" And while some may argue who the father of Biology is, Aristotle or Charles Darwin....In the minds of many of the Class of '75, it was Mr. Fish. Till we see you again my friend. Thanks for the memories!!! :o)
Dana Marsden
April 20, 2011
I first meet Mr. Fish in 1979 when I signed up for his Biology class, having just moved to Lake Stevens. I loved biology and loved his class. Dennis mentored me through high school and continued to support me in college where I graduated with a science degree and a teaching certificate. My first year teaching was his year to retire. Dennis and I remained close over the years. I miss him very, very much.
Steve Anderson
April 20, 2011
I taught next door to Dennis for eight years at Lake Stevens High School. He was a thoughtful colleague who always had his student's best interests at heart.
Kate Davis
April 20, 2011
I loved Mr. Fish and his biology class. Yes, he did make sure we knew who the father of biology was. He was a wonderfully engaging teacher who made everything seem interesting. I hope I am half the teacher.
Kate Davis class of 1971
Lori Grandy Malins
April 19, 2011
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Michelle Benecchi
April 19, 2011
I had Mr. Fish for Biology class at LSHS. What a kind man who loved his work. I learned alot from him. As my children are going through science now I can recall all that I learned from him. Thank you Mr. Fish. I pray for your family and friends to have peace through this time of sadness.
April 18, 2011
I worked with Dennis for over 10 years at ArtsWest as a fellow Volunteer Extraordinaire. He loved ArtsWest and always did whatever he could to help. Even as his health declined in the past couple of years, he was always cheerful and had a positive outlook. We will miss him
\Sandy Adams
April 18, 2011
I worked with Dennis for over 10 years at ArtsWest as a fellow Volunteer Extraordinaire. He loved ArtsWest and improv and worked hard and with passion to help in any way he could. Even as his health declined in the past couple of years, he was always cheerful and had a positive outlook. We will miss him
Sandy Adams
Sharrie Markin
April 18, 2011
I always smile when I think about Mr. Fish and his biology classes. I took his class 3 semesters. If nothing else, I will alway remember who the father of Biology is! It was on every test at least 5 or 6 times! He was a very kind teacher, though I wasn't always the best student. My best wishes to his family and friends.
He will always be remembered fondly by many.
Bruce McLaughlin
April 17, 2011
I had the pleasure of working with Dennis at ArtsWest where he was known at a Volunteer Extraordinaire for the time he devoted to the organization. He ran the Late Night program with calm professionalism and was a friend to all. We miss him.
Renee Miles
April 17, 2011
Mr. Fish, I loved you as a sicense teacher. I have fond memories. Renee Kammer 1973
Kelly Jones-Richards
April 17, 2011
When I went off to college and took my first biology class, I remembered thinking that Mr. Fish could have taught the class so much better than the professor that stood before me because he just had a way of making it so much more fun. I looked forward to his class everyday in highschool and I took so much away from his regular biology class and his advanced biology class which was an independent study. He got a chuckle from what I took on to study: "Fish: from Roe to Release". I took great pride in releasing my baby fingerling salmon into the stream along with him. He certainly was one of my favorite highschool memories. I will always remember him fondly. My hope is that his family will be fully aware of the kindness he showed to all of his students and the hope he inspired to many of his students for higher education, even when it looked impossible. May you all experience the showering of many blessings as you pass through this difficult time. Like wise may you also be enveloped in the power of memories to help keep his love for you, his dear friends, and his students alive and in the present.
April 17, 2011
When I think of Mr. Fish, I always find myself smiling. He made learning so much fun! What a great teacher he was! He also made Drama a blast! We need more teachers like him. Jeni Ostrom-Hughes
Catherine Russell
April 17, 2011
Mr. Fish always told us "if you remember nothing else from this class, you will remember who was the Father or Biology". And even though there are a few other things I remember from your class Mr. Fish, I do remember - Aristotle. May God's peace and happy memories wrap themselves around your family and friends and help them through this difficult time.
Bruce & Ellen Kennaugh
April 17, 2011
Our sympathy to the Dennis Fish family. Mr. Fish taught my Biology class at Lake Stevens High School in 1964-65; I also took Advanced Biology during the 1966-67 school year. He taught Ellen's Biology class in 1965-66, and she was in the Drama Club and plays that Mr. Fish directed. He also taught Biology to our older son Graig at LSHS.
Mr. Fish attended at least one of our class reunions and we saw him at various times over the years. He always had a smile for us.
Dennis was a brilliant Biology teacher, loved directing school plays, and always appeared happy and in a good mood, a very positive person.
We're sorry he is gone. He will be missed.
Brenda Mastrude
April 17, 2011
Mr. Fish was a great science teacher. I was in the class of 1985 and probably had him in 83 or 84. He knew alot about his subject and put his heart into his lessons. May peace be with your family as you go through this difficult time.
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