Robert Eugene Dennis

Biography: Robert Eugene Dennis, 62, of Little Rock, died July 3, 2024, after a courageous 3-year battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease. He relished a lifetime of serving and helping others through his vocation, his church, his daughters' schools and sporting endeavors and the community he loved.
Robert was born October 1,1961, in Crossett, the son of Thomas Eugene Dennis and Bobbye Hanchey Dennis. The family lived in Lake Village for a time before settling in Little Rock. He was a 1979 graduate of Catholic High School for Boys where he was a member of the Marine Corps Junior ROTC drill team. He earned a bachelor's degree in business in 1983 from Hendrix College, where he was a member of the track team.
Robert began his career as a field auditor for the Arkansas Department of Human Services. As a certified public accountant and certified internal auditor, he enjoyed manager of application development for Arkansas Power & Light Co. and Entergy Services, as well as a brief time with ALLTEL Service Corp. He was a software and IT senior project manager and a cyber and physical security specialist for SAIC and Leidos before retiring in 2022. He was a member of AICPA.
As a youth at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, Robert was involved in music and other ministries, including the touring youth choir. As an adult, he was a member of St. James United Methodist Church where he loved being part of the Stepping Stone Sunday School Class and was an usher for many years. He met Jane Dearing at St. James and they were married April 28, 1990, by the indominable Rev. John P. Miles.
Robert held many leadership positions at St. James and participated in local, national and international mission trips, particularly those involving construction projects. He was always ready to serve others. He was the guy with tools for every project and the first one to climb on (or fall off) a roof.
Robert coached his daughter Sidney's soccer team, served on the board of Little Rock Futbol Club and was active in YMCA Adventure Guides and Mount St. Mary Academy Booster Club. He loved the natural beauty of the mountaintop that holds Mount Eagle Christian Center, where he volunteered countless hours and was a past board chairman. Transportation was his specialty when it came to volunteering at Camp Aldersgate and Methodist Family Health.
Robert enjoyed cycling, a good cup of coffee, early morning duck hunts and walking fields to rustle up South Dakota pheasants. He played a mean acoustic guitar and belted out "Amarillo By Morning" in true George Strait style. He loved beach trips with his family, canoeing the Buffalo River while wearing his giant sun-shielding cowboy hat. He worked hard and found great camaraderie as a member of the award-winning Here for the Beer competition barbecue team.
As a child he was "Bob," as an adult he was "Robert" and "Daddy," but his most recent joy was being a grandfather called "BobBob."
Robert was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Dennis. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Jane Dennis; two daughters, Lindsey Harrison and husband Ryan of Washington, D.C., and Sidney Dennis of Memphis, Tenn., and fiancé Stephen Whitney; one grandson, Douglas Robert Harrison; mother, Bobbye Dennis of Little Rock; and brother, James Dennis of Little Rock.
The family gratefully acknowledges the loving and compassionate care provided by Trent Moss, Carl Randle, Claudia Salinas and Gerald Brown.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024, at St. James UMC, 321 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock.
For memorial gifts, the family requests consideration of: Mount Eagle Christian Center, 935 Beal Road, Clinton, AR 72031; ALS Association, 1950 Craig Rd., Ste 200, St. Louis, MO 63146; or ALS in Wonderland Foundation, 11610 Pleasant Ridge Road, Little Rock, AR 72223. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com