Dennis Michael Castleman

Dennis Michael Castleman passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026 after a 15-year battle with Alzheimer's. He was born on August 14, 1956, to Richard and Marian Castleman in Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated from Finneytown High School. From humble beginnings, he built an exceptional career in hospitality, travel, and tourism through hard work, dedication, and a genuine love of people. Dennis began his hospitality career at a resort in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania in 1980. From there, he joined ITT Sheraton Corporation and spent seventeen years working at several hotels in the Sheraton portfolio, including properties in Savannah, Georgia, the Meadowlands in New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Monterey, California. In 1991, Dennis moved to Maryland to work at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, where he held a number of leadership positions including Director of Sales and Marketing, Director of Revenue Management, and Director of Food and Beverage. In 1998, he became the General Manager of The Hamilton, a 318-room luxury hotel in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. In 2001, Dennis became the Area Director of Operations for MeriStar Hotels and Resorts in the Philadelphia area. In 2003, he was appointed Assistant Secretary for the Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts for the State of Maryland and Director of the Maryland Office of Tourism Development. In May 2004, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. named Dennis to the newly created role of Chief Marketing Officer for the State of Maryland. He joined the U.S. Travel Association in October 2007 as Vice President, Industry Relations, bringing nearly thirty years of travel and tourism experience to the association.

Above all, Dennis was most proud of the life he built with his family and the memories they shared together. Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Deborah, his three children Alexandra and her husband Joshua, Victoria and her husband Kevin, and Brendan and his wife Shannon. He was also a proud grandfather to Reid, Mackenzie, Rory, Claire, and Alice.

Dennis was a big person with a larger-than-life personality, who certainly left his mark on the world around him. He will be remembered for his confidence, storytelling, and command of any room, along with his strong work ethic, love of travel, and appreciation for red wine and chocolate.

The family will receive friends from 2–4 p.m. on Friday, January 23rd, at Grace Community Church in Fulton, Maryland, followed by a memorial service open to the public at 4 p.m. Dennis will be laid to rest by immediate family at Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association