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Dennis B. Dampf

1946 - 2019

BORN

1946

DIED

2019

Dennis Dampf Obituary

Name: Service for Dennis B. Dampf
Start: 2019-03-29T16:30:00.000Z
Location: Temple Beth Shalom

DENNIS B. DAMPF 1946-2019 Dennis was born in Brooklyn, NY, to Charles and Emma Dampf, and he passed peacefully at home after the sunset with March Madness on the TV screen on March 24th, surrounded by his wife, Roxanna Knight, and son, Charles Dampf. Dennis is survived by his brothers Peter (Maxine) Dampf, Larry (Janice) Bensky, David (Irit) Bensky, Alan (Mirit) Bensky, and dear friends Donna (Jim) Viola, Robert (Susan) Fisher and Anne (Bob) Steinman, to name a few. Many nieces, nephews and other family members and friends have been dear to the family and will miss Dennis very much. He spent more than 28 years serving his customers at El Nido in Tesuque with his partner, Don Scharhag, and the two had a prior seven year relationship working through the restaurant business in Santa Fe. Anyone who encountered Dennis came to enjoy his love of everything "food". His long time customers nicknamed him the "Cappuccino King", and he loved every minute of mingling with and serving the local and traveling customers. He was the party guy, booking family celebrations, prom night outings, legislative parties, wedding events and more. He was particularly proud of the business from Los Alamos, Espanola and northern New Mexico. At opera time he recharged himself with the repeat visitors who came to enjoy dining at El Nido before the operas. He loved what he did and looked to make every human connection possible. If you were from any part of the country, he would ask if you knew someone from the same place, always looking for the local and global connections. Services for Dennis will be held at Temple Beth Shalom, 205 E. Barcelona Road, on Friday, March 29 at 10:30 AM. Donations in his memory will be welcomed at Assistance Dogs of the West, the NM Cancer Center Foundation or the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Fe New Mexican from Mar. 26 to Mar. 27, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Dennis Dampf

16 Entries

Maria Ennella

April 6, 2019

I first met Dennis at my sister's wedding. (Rita and George Paloheimo) He always had such a beautiful, unforgettable smile and exuding much happiness. We enjoyed many dinners at El Nido with him attending to us. We enjoyed many laughs. My condolences and prayers to his loving family. May he soar with the Angels.

George and Rita Paloheimo

April 2, 2019

Dennis was a Great Person and will be missed by all his family and friends. He was in our Wedding Party 40 years ago and we remember his Wedding at El Rancho de las Golondrinas next to the Mill Pond! And so many happy memories at El Nido! Roxy and Charlie there's no words for our sorrow at this time, we send love & hugs to you both ❤

March 31, 2019

a most generous soul and loving friend who ever walked the earth. Angela and I will forever miss his 2x yearly visits to our home in Virginia. "Bong"

Sherry, Jim, Glenna and Colleen Martin

March 30, 2019

I can't recall when I last ran into Dennis at the grocery store. He would have been bragging about Charlie, as he always did, and asking about my girls. So sorry he's gone.

Robert Fisher

March 30, 2019

Dennis and I were closet friends for more than fifty five years...that says everything.
Keep a spot waiting next to you for me...XO, Fish

Miles Knudson

March 29, 2019

Bye Uncle Dennis. Thanks for all the great times and lessons at El Nido.

steve schoninger

March 29, 2019

Surprised and Sorry........dennis was such a nice man...Hope to see Roxanne and Charlie soon.....

Lala MARQUEZ

March 28, 2019

I'm so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with the family.

March 28, 2019

Blessings to Roxanne and Charlie,
my prayers are with you.
Carmen Roca

Jeff McFall

March 27, 2019

We lost one of the good one this time. I miss him already.

Jamie O'Neill

March 27, 2019

Known Dennis for years and will miss his always upbeat attitude...really enjoyed Christmas Eve at El Nido....he and Don made it special. Love you Brother, and will see you again!

Leslie Borrego

March 27, 2019

So sorry Roxanne and Charlie ! We sure do miss those good times at El Nido. Leslie and David Borrego

Bill Morris

March 27, 2019

Good Bye My Friend

Katy and Paul Schmitt, and family

March 27, 2019

So sorry to see this, our love to Roxanne and Charlie and the rest of the family. He will be missed.

Frank Hadley Murphy

March 26, 2019

I worked with Dennis at the Steaksmith when it was in the old de Vargas Hotel downtown. He was one of the most cheerful, carefree people I've ever met. Even years later, when we'd see each other at a local grocer, he'd come up to me and just start talking in his wonderful buoyant manner. Thank you, Dennis, for making everyone's world a little lighter. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. Frank Hadley Murphy

Debbie (and Harvey) Newman

March 26, 2019

I came to know Dennis through teaching Charlie at TBS, and tutoring him for his Bar Mitzvah. Over the years, my family and I grew to know Dennis as one of the most warm, genuine, engaging, and welcoming people in all of Santa Fe. Anyone entering El Nido would be captured by his smile and feel as though he was welcoming you into his home. Dennis was so very proud of Charlie and his accomplishments through the years-I recall so many trips to Albertsons lasting hours because of running into Dennis and just chatting away and away and away. What a huge loss to this community to lose this spirit of love and life.

Roxanne and Charlie, our hearts are with you, what a tremendous loss. You both have lived with such a wonderful spouse and father that was loved so by so many. May his memory be for a blessing.

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