Dennis Leland Beaufort

1943 - 2022

BORN

1943

DIED

2022

Dennis Beaufort Obituary

Beaufort

Dennis Leland Beaufort

Dennis Leland Beaufort passed away after a long illness on June 29, 2022, surrounded by family at his home in Washington, DC.

Dennis was born on May 4, 1943, to Leonard and Lillian (Radulovich) Beaufort in Greensburg, PA. In 1965 he completed a BS in Electrical Engineering at Penn State with High Honors.

He accepted a position with Bell Telephone Laboratories (Bell Labs) where he wrote software in Fortran for simulating and analyzing Apollo moon mission trajectories using an IBM mainframe computer. The company sent him to Harvard to complete a Master of Science in Engineering.

Dennis relocated to Maryland in 1968 to work on a project to calculate the accuracy of the navigation equipment onboard Poseidon submarines.

In 1971 Communications Satellite Corporation (Comsat) hired him to write software to process telemetry and orientation data for spacecraft launches and operations. INTELSAT, the "united nations" of satellites, sent Dennis to Japan, Jordan, and multiple trips to Germany and Spain to certify countries to join the international communications satellite consortium. In his 17-year Comsat career, he participated in the launch and orbital mechanics for over 25 communication satellites.

The final years of Dennis's engineering career were with Oracle Complex Systems and Integic Corporation. After retiring from software development, he focused on family, civic engagement, and golf. Dennis became a volunteer tax preparer for AARP, the perfect second career for a man who enjoyed numbers and wanted to stay busy in the winter when he could not play golf. In 2012 he created the interactive online voter guide for League of Women Voters of DC and produced the guide for every election including the June 2022 Primary. For his many contributions, Dennis received the League Distinguished Service Award.

Dennis took on financial leadership roles in many nonprofit organizations, including Montgomery County MD Gifted and Talented Assn., Janney School Extended Day, Wilson High School PTSA, Girl Scouts, Senior Golf Association of Montgomery Country Club, and the League of Women Voters of DC. He coached boys basketball and softball and Capital City LL girls softball. Dennis served on the board of the Wilson Crew Boosters where he coordinated logistics for out-of-town regattas. Cancer diagnosis notwithstanding, Dennis and his wife Kathryn achieved their goal of visiting all 50 states together. It took 37 years!

Dennis was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Sandra Riddle, and his brothers Thomas and Ronald. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years Kathryn Collison Ray, sister-in-law Kathy Beaufort, children Jennifer Meschino (Travis), Kevin Beaufort (Christina), Jeffrey Beaufort (Chanda), Laura Ray Beaufort, and Anna Ray Beaufort; an AFS daughter, Anri Tsushima Imano (Daisuke); and grandchildren Jason, Michael, Hailey, Langley, Jackson, Jameson; and AFS grandchildren Emma and Joe Imano.

The immediate family will place Dennis's ashes at Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown, Washington, DC. A celebration of his life is planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the League of Women Voters of DC, (https://www.lwvdc.org/donate), are appreciated.

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

Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 10, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Dennis Beaufort

9 Entries

Jeff

April 2, 2025

I just reread my Dad's obituary for the first time in awhile; my Dad was the smartest person I've ever met. He also taught me so many lessons that I've passed on to my children. Anna - he was always so proud of you and even said you were smarter than he was :) - you go kick butt in med school!

Anna

April 30, 2024

I miss you, dad. Tomorrow medical school applications open. I took the MCAT April 12. I wish you were here to support me if I don´t get in, or celebrate with me if I do. I love you.

Jerry Bitting

November 20, 2022

I was lucky to be an assistant softball coach under Dennis. He was a great instructor with an easy going approach. Everyone on the team respected his coaching and had fun playing the game. I learned a lot from Dennis and when he retired from coaching, I took over the team. Thanks Dennis for your great leadership, you will be missed.

Greg Baker

August 8, 2022

Knowing Dennis for close to thirty years, we are sadden to hear this news. Dennis was a kind and thoughtful human being and he will be missed. He was very modest in his many accomplishments and I learned much more about his life reading his obituary. Our condolences to Kathryn and his family.

Peggy Flynn

August 2, 2022

Dennis has such an impressive list of his volunteer civil engagements. So many organizations benefited from his work. May your good memories bring comfort at this difficult time.

Karen Kennedy Field

July 19, 2022

Kath, my deepest condolences to you and the family. I´m thinking so much about you at this time and sending lots of love.

Sally Cassidy

July 18, 2022

Blessings on all the family.

Robin Hassani

Planted Trees

Anne Anderson

July 10, 2022

I so enjoyed working with Dennis in the DC League of Women Voters. His attention to detail was so valuable and his gentle way of reminding me what was needed spoke to me of a true gentle man. I miss him and count knowing him as a blessing.

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