Dennis Joseph McHugo

1933 - 2017

Dennis (Denny) Joseph McHugo Dennis (Denny) Joseph McHugo passed away at his home in Olympia surrounded by family early Sunday, February 12, 2017 following a battle with cancer. Born November 8, 1933 in Spokane, Washington to Patrick and Ruth (Goodall) McHugo, Denny was raised in Puyallup, Washington and graduated from Puyallup Hill High School (Class of 1951). After serving in the United States Navy during the Korean War, Denny attended Western Washington University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education (Class of 1959). It was at WWU that he met Peggy Witte - the two were married in the summer of 1959 and settled in Olympia, Washington where Denny started his teaching career teaching 5th grade at Lydia Hawk Elementary. A lifelong teacher, Denny spent 24 years teaching science at Chinook Middle School where he was known for his passion for teaching, his rocketry program and his trademark corny jokes. Denny shared his gift for teaching in the community as well, serving as Olympia Power Squadron's Commander in 1974-1975 and was honored in 1995 as an outstanding Water Safety Instructor and received the Charles F. Chapman award for excellence in teaching. He also volunteered with Peggy in local classrooms with the Telephone Pioneers. Denny was a member of the American Legion Post 94 in Lacey and in 2009 was awarded the American Legion's Blue Cap Legionnaire of the Year Award. Denny and Peggy have been members of Olympia's First United Methodist Church since 1967. Denny is survived by his wife of 57 years, Peggy; his daughters Tina Rehberg, Ann and Candi McHugo; his beloved grandchildren Jason and Elise Rehberg and Madison McKay; and his sister, Jackie Brown. Denny's family is extremely grateful for the solid foundation he provided to them on many levels and his love of boating, camping and other adventures lives on through his kids and grandkids. A celebration of Denny's life is scheduled for Sunday, March 26th at 2:00 PM at the American Legion Post 94 in Lacey. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Boys State (send check to American Legion Post 100, PO Box 8013, Lacey, WA 98509). Please always remember that a frog with no legs can't hear.