Dennis Wayne Farrell

Dennis Wayne Farrell, 51 year resident of Ridgecrest, passed away on April 19, 2011.

Born on December 13, 1934, in Council Bluffs, the son of L. Daire Farrell and Ruth (Ellicott) Farrell. Dennis developed a love of knowledge, reading and electronics at an early age. He served in the Navy from 1952 to 1956 as an Electronics Technician, when home on leave, he met his wife of 52 years, the former Carlene Carol Morgan. They were married on June 28, 1956, at Grace Presbyterian Church in Council Bluffs. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1960 with a degree in Physics and Mathematics. In 1960, Dennis began his 34 year career as a Physicist and Computer Scientist at the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, a job he truly loved.

Highlights of his career include the evaluation of inertial quality accelerometers; preparation of programs for the IBM 709/7090 digital computers; design of the auto pilot for the Moray TV-1A submarine; design and construction of an electronic analog computer and simulator for use in the design, evaluation and testing of inertial navigation components and subsystems. Dennis performed a one year tour in Washington, D.C., where he was a Software Quality Manager for the Joint Cruise Missile Program. As Head of the Digital Systems Group, Dennis advised various division elements on computer hardware, software applications, programming, peripherals and interfacing. While head of the Weapons System Software Office, Dennis provided embedded computer software management support to the A-4, A-6E, A-7E, AV-8B and F/A-18 aircraft. He provided direct support in the development of software management policies and procedures and the development of software technologies to the Cruise Missile and Unmanned Air vehicle program. Dennis was a member of the Acquisition Review Board, evaluating all NWC procurements involving embedded computer software.

In his spare time, he also enjoyed teaching electronic courses, operational software courses and published many technical articles in Defense Systems Management Review. Dennis was also an instructor for the Technical Manager Certificate Program. He retired in 1994. He had a thirst for knowledge and never stopped learning. Among his many hobbies and interests over the course of his life, Dennis' passions included sailing and ham radio (W6DWF). He also enjoyed biking, woodworking, electronic circuit boards, reading, history, the English language, computers and cooking. Dennis was very active in community volunteering. He once held the post of PTA president and worked on the reverse 911 system for the police department. His dry sense of humor and quick wit will be missed by many.

Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Connie, June 4, 2007.

He is survived by his daughters, Lisa Farris and her husband, Joe (San Diego, Calif.), Laura Bellagio and her husband, David (Spokane, Wash.); three grandsons, Anthony, Jacob and Mark (Spokane); sister, Cleo Draper (Outing, Minn.); sister-in-law, Pat Schoening and her husband, Gordon (Glenwood, Iowa).

A celebration of his life event will be announced at a later date. The family has asked in lieu of flowers, donation be made to the American Lung Association.

This obituary was originally published in The Daily Nonpareil.