Denis D. Stuhff

It was with great surprise and sadness to discover that Denis was gone. I just found out about his passing on 2/1/2013. Although I had only met with Denis a handful of times, I really felt a long term relationship was developing. I was so looking forward to working with him again. That night of the first, I had dinner at the same Spanish Tapas restaurant we ate at a couple of years ago while attending a meeting in DC. He stated that you just don't get to eat these dishes in Utah. Two years ago in DC, with our limited free time, we made quick tours of the Air and Space, Natural History, and American History museums along the National Mall. He was eager to share his knowledge and to find out more as we went from museum to museum. He warmly invited me to visit him in his home state of Utah. I will miss working with my colleague and I will especially miss his friendship. Rest assured that Denis was a true professional and more importantly a great friend.

Denis was a Pleasure to know and to volunteer with. He was a generous an intelligent man and very caring Christian. I am deeply Sade Ed for the family he left behind. I pray that his children, wife and all loved ones will be comforted with Christ's peace and understanding. Love Jason Horner, St. Andrew parish

Denis was always sharing his time and knowledge with others. I will miss him as both an uncle and and as a friend. His numerous trips to Las Vegas to help family when we needed him will never be forgotten.

Denis will be missed. He was a great help when we got the Knights of Columbus going at St. Andrews and it was always good to see him because of his positive attitude and spirit.

God bless you all at this time of sorrow.
I forgot we shared the same birthday...Denis always teased me about that! I have fond childhood memories that include all the Stuhffs. Take care, Suzy Martinet-Bolton

I was saddened to learn of Denis's passing. I would agree with all the kind words that have been offered on his behalf. Denis and his daily contributions to his family and his professional work will be deeply missed. To the Stuhff family - please accept my sincerest condolences and well wishes during this most difficult time of grieving and healing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

The loss of Denis has created a great void in this world, one that may never be filled. He will be greatly missed.

My deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to his family.

Denis was a great friend that I've known since he and I both were hired at about the same time for UDOT in Region One construction. He is a warm and caring friend, exceptionally knowledgeable and always a joy to be around. I'll miss him as I'm sure others that he has touched in some way will too.

Denis was beloved at UDOT for so many reasons. He was ebullient, positive, gentle, and irrepressible when it came to sharing his knowledge. He had a blissful soul.

I once admired a photograph of an old bridge near his desk. "Don't you just love to think about what the engineer confronted when he had to design that bridge, Elizabeth?" Well, actually, I hadn't given it a thought, but as with so many conversations with Denis, he opened up a new way of thinking to me.

This weekend, I remembered the epitaph for the slain cowboy from Larry McMurtry's "Lonesome Dove," one of my favorite novels, and it is so apt for Denis. "Never shirked a duty, cheerful in all weather, splendid behavior."

My condolences to the Stuhff family; thank you for sharing your husband, father, son and brother with us. May you find solace and comfort as you carry forward.

Dear Valerie,
I was shocked to learn of Denis' death. What a shock it must have been for you. I send my deepest condolences to you and children. He will be a great loss for you and the children. I will be unable to attend services. I send my love and best wishes for you all.
Uncle Dale Hansen, St. George, UT

Denis was a delightful individual, a dedicated engineer, and a renaissance man. It always made my day to run into him in the halls of UDOT; he had an uplifting spirit and attitude - always. The world is a better place for having had Denis here, and he will be greatly missed. He has just gone home - maybe there are culverts there that need his expertise.
My warm condolences to his family.

Denis Stuhff was a kind and gentle soul who quietly and efficiently went about his work methodically improving our processes in the Utah Department of Transportation. He was an avid reader of every subject. Many were amazed at the depth of his knowledge about a wide variety of topics. He was comfortable in all types of company and provided the same regard to everyone, whether supervisor or subordinate, he treated all with dignity.
I had lunch this year with Denis and his daughter Rebecca when UDOT honored him as a nominee for employee of the year. This was where I discovered a loving and supportive relationship between father and daughter. I can still see the twinkle in Rebecca's eye when she was given the chance to talk about her father in front of the whole group. Any father would have blushed at her glowing review of Denis as a father, mentor and friend.
Denis' sudden passing leaves us wanting for his companionship and wishing we might have had a chance to say goodbye. While our hearts are hurting, our pain likely pales in the shadow of the Stuhff family's loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you.

I had the great pleasure to attend the UDOT employee of the year luncheon. Denis was recognized as one of the exceptional workers nominated for that great award. I was in total awe and amazement of Denis' accomplishments and extensive knowledge in so many different areas. Denis was a true friend, a gentleman and a scholar. UDOT, and the citizens of the State of Utah have been truly blessed to have Denis' influence on so many aspects of the work. The projects are part of his legacy. Thanks Denis for your friendship and expertise.

Denis was a wonderful person and I really enjoyed knowing him. I will miss his smiling face in the office. I wish you comfort in your loss, which is much greater than mine.

I will miss Denis. He had a great way of lifting you up each time you spoke with him. I had the privilege of learning from him and associating with him through work. My condolences go to his family. May God carry you through these times.

I can't believe he's gone. A trully devoted engineer and public servant. He was the epitome of a 'civil' (for the people) engineer. He was recognized by us,his peers, as an expert and was never concerned about promotions for the sake of money. But was all about aquiring knowledge for the sake of doing the right thing for the people. I will miss our philisophical, qualitative discussions in the atrium at work and hope to resume them at some future time and place. I will miss, also, seeing him around the community. Thanks, Denis.

Sorry for your loss, I worked with Denis when he first started at udot, he enjoyed reading the mining engineering technical magazines I would bring to work.

I will never forget Dennis. He made this world a better place by being in it. Just thinking about the memories of spending time with him and his family brings a smile to my face. He is kind and caring. I loved his expressions and sence of humor. He is a great man.

My heart goes out to his sweet wife and children, please know that he is near, he loves you and will watch over you. Just look over your shoulder . And he'll be there always. I feel his concern, and I know he loves you all very very much. Because that is what Dennis did. Loved his family.

I sat down and cried when I found out. Denis was one of my most favorite co-workers. He was the Professor to me. I always knew if I needed information I would get the straight scoop from Denis, he was the most knowledgeable man I knew. I know he loved his family so much by just how he talked of his wife Valerie and the children. Spending time with them was everything to him. My peace be with his family.

We have not seen Denis very often in recent years but all of our memories of him are fond. We are so thankful to Denis and all of you for the love and support shown to Jannette over the years. May the Lord bless and sustain you,

It was an honor to know and work with Denis for the past 18 years or so at UDOT. It was a true pleasure to talk with him over many breaks about engineering, politics, alternate energy sources and just about any other subject. He could intelligently discuss just about anything because he had probably read a textbook on the subject and actually enjoyed reading it! The world has lost a great, gentle man with a big heart. My prayers are with you, Valerie, and your children. You have to be missing him greatly, because I sure do! May God bless you in this time of great sorrow. Denis, save a place up there for me. We still haven't finished our break-time discussions!

Denis was such a great Husband & family MAN. His Family devotion was a great gift, to Valerie, Kenneth, Marie, and many more. (Prisby Family side)

Much love and admiration! Gwendolyn (Prisby) Hansen XOXO

PS: You will be greatly missed!

Denis was like an older brother to me since we grew up in the same neighborhood and was my older brother's best friend. As a child I always thought of him as being patient, kind, gentle and very smart. He was the same as a man. Such a loss for everyone.

He was a real gentleman and scholar. He gave everything he had each day. I am proud to say Denis, you did a Heck of Job! Carry on!

Great man and friend. Will be missed and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends in this hard times.

~Abdul Wakil~

Great Man and Mentor. I was one of many hydraulic engineers he trained at UDOT.

So sorry for your loss.