Frederick "Rick" Denningham

Frederick "Rick" Denningham was a man of wide curiosity, deep knowledge, and generous spirit. He collected skills, stories, and friendships with equal enthusiasm. He passed away peacefully on January 13, 2026, leaving behind a life richly lived and generously shared.

Rick was born on August 18, 1942, to Charles Wing Denningham and Evelyn Denningham (Kennedy) and grew up in the San Bernardino area of Southern California. A passionate reader and lifelong learner, Rick developed an insatiable curiosity at an early age, a trait that would define the rest of his life.

After graduating high school, Rick joined the Navy Reserves in 1961 and was immediately placed on active duty. He served several years aboard the USS Wedderburn, a destroyer, and completed his service in 1965. His time in the Navy left him with a deep and lasting interest in ships, engines, and maritime history.

Once back in civilian life, Rick followed many professional paths, each reflecting his adaptability, intelligence, and desire to be useful. Over the years, he worked as a police officer, ambulance driver, Navy sailor, caretaker, and lab engineer. He later joined Hewlett Packard in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he built a long and successful career. Entirely self-taught, Rick became a wastewater engineer and retired at the enviable age of fifty, proving that curiosity and persistence can rival any formal credential.

During his early working years at Atascadero State Hospital near San Luis Obispo, Rick met his life partner of sixty years, Lothar Titel. Introduced through mutual friends, the two formed a partnership rooted in devotion, shared curiosity, and a love of exploration. Together they made their home in the Bay Area before moving to Ferndale, Washington, in 2007.

Rick was communicative, always eager to share a story, explain how something worked, or pass along knowledge gained through experience. His interests were vast and deeply held. He loved classical music and played the organ. A gifted artist, he created detailed ink pen paintings and sketches, many of which he sold. Technically inclined long before it was common, Rick worked comfortably with sophisticated computer programs for photo and movie editing.

His love of history found particular focus in cars, engines, and ships. Rick refurbished automobiles, including his beloved MG TA, which he proudly displayed at car shows. He also built a Sterling sports car on a Volkswagen chassis, a kit car project that combined patience, precision, and joy. His understanding of automotive history and mechanics was broad and detailed, and he was always happy to talk cars with anyone willing to listen.

Rick and Lothar shared a love of the water and owned a boat in the San Francisco Bay. At home, Rick built a woodworking shop in their barn, where he completed projects using both traditional tools and CNC equipment. Throughout his life, Rick was rarely without a cat or several. The many cats he and Lothar shared their home with were family.

Travel was another passion. Rick traveled the world. He and Lothar made regular visits to Germany to see Lothar's family and toured much of the United States in their motorhome. When home, they were legendary hosts. Visitors were always welcomed and promptly shown the highlights of the West Coast by a guide who knew the roads, the history, and the best scenic detours.

Above all, Rick was fiercely protective of those he loved and generous to a fault. He had a quiet and steady way of taking care of people. His knowledge was vast, but his kindness was greater.

Rick is survived by his devoted life partner Lothar Titel, his sister Diane Paulsen, his brother Bill Rickert, his sister Mary Lou Magoon, his niece Lisa Tyner, his nephews Stephen Paulsen, Dan Paulsen, Lothar's brother Klaus and Lothar's nieces and nephews, all who considered Rick as their Uncle.

A Memorial Service will be held for Rick on Monday, February 9, 2026, 11:00am at Zion Lutheran Church in Ferndale. A graveside service will follow at 12:00pm at Enterprise Cemetery in Ferndale. After the graveside service, family and friends will gather back at Zion Lutheran Church for a reception.

Rick Denningham lived a life shaped by curiosity, craftsmanship, and care for others. He leaves behind a lifetime of stories and people who cherish them.