Happy 70th Birthday Dad!!! We Love You!!!

 

Michael

Don't know where to start with the stories, there are so many.

The First time I met Dennis was through work at United Memories and through Tim.  Tim asked me if I wanted to come out after work with him and the Mad Morman.  While shooting pool Dennis cried out during a critical shot I was trying to make that  “if you don’t make this you suck”.  I thought okay, he has some strong opinions.  Our relationship started from there.

Snow skiing with Tim, Dennis and I at our Leadville Cabin.  Sometimes with additional people and sometimes as a couples trips.  Also had several ski trips while staying in a placer valley cabin.   

The conclusions of which was always that "Laughter is the best therapy of all." 

At UMI Christmas parties Dennis could often be seen break Dancing with our CEO Sheff Eaton.  Both were spinning and rolling on the dance floor together. 

Some might say that I tricked Dennis into leaving UMI.  At one point in the late 90's I interviewed and accepted a job with Al Weiner at Atmel.  I told Dennis about it.  He interviewed, got the job offer to move from layout designer to layout manager at Atmel.  He accepted this position.  

Then I proceeded to change my mind and stayed at UMI.  And Dennis left.  A similar situation happened when going from UMI to a company called Ceram with Gary Derbinwick.  Dennis went and I never did. 

Please raise a glass of wine to toast to my great friend Dennis, I love you Man!

  

Michael

Nancy

Happy 70th Birthday, Dennis! What a remarkable milestone for a truly 

kind and sentimental soul like you. Celebrate not just the years, but 

the rich, full life you’ve lived, marked by a wonderful range of 

emotions that keeps you connected to the world and the people around 

you. Your wit is sharp and your sense of humor always brings a smile! 

More than anything, I cherish the way you engage with life —by asking 

those truly good questions that makes one pause, reflect, and 

ultimately, think better. May this decade be filled with boundless 

happiness, love, and many more opportunities to share your wonderful spirit.

                                                - With love from Nancy

Thomas

 Well, brother-in-law you beat me again, turning a year older first. Though we will soon both be 70 it's my wish and prayer that you enjoy 70 on your own for a few months. I know I can’t believe it either, it wasn’t (or seems not long ago) that 70 was a distant age. Well it is here and we can’t avoid it.

Dennis in the years we have known one another and had the opportunity to share life, although sporadically, has been a great joy. I love your peaceful, kind heart, and your sense of humor. I think that is where you and I first connected was in humor. Sharing a joke, some ribbing, or a funny experience seemed to permeate our conversations. I know life can feel like National Lampoons Christmas Vacation but funny thing, it is never quite that crazy. I am sure our being only months apart in age has much to do with our connection. We babes of the baby boom generation have to stick together, from the Beatles to Led Zeppelin and beyond.

On a more serious note it would be an oversight not to note your faith, and strength in the last five years. Your resilience in the face of seemingly poor odds has been encouraging to more than just myself. May your next years be filled with all peace and joy. May grace continue to shine upon your life. Happy 70 Birthday Dennis!

Thomas Strewler

Michael and Marsha

 

Ode to Dennis Hodges

How many times they huddled

Discussing aches and joys.

Michael and Dennis

Our two like-minded boys.

 

Bald pate for Michael, 

Dennis silver grey,

Heads bowed together

Sharing news of the day.

 

Trudy and Dennis,

Romance at its best.

Down in the Springs

In their loving home nest.

 

And now here’s what we send:

Welcome to your 7o’s Dennis, dear friend.

Wishes for good health and giving troubles a shove.

Much love from Marsha (and from Michael, above)

Betta and Thom

 

A Very Vinitok Weekend

There we were, racing through the Arkansas River Valley, Trudy and Dennis in their TT, Betta and Thom in their Acura. It was September, 2018, and we were spending the weekend in Crested Butte for the annual Vinitok Festival. Trudy was driving and we imagined Dennis singing “Ventura Highway” to her as she dominated the tight curves of Monarch Pass like a seasoned Formula 1 driver.

𝄞  “…Ventura Highway in the sunshine

Where the days are longer

The nights are stronger than moonshine…”

We spent the day exploring Crested Butte and then came the festival that night. A wonderful dinner, interrupted by pagan dragon warriors and Earth mother fairies singing songs of redemption as they marched through the restaurant. We wrote our wishes and regrets on little pieces of paper that we tucked into allotted boxes for the bonfire. Dennis and Thom wore curved horns while Trudy and Betta wore garland in their hair. Out into the street to join the torch-lit procession, the entire town and guests marched the length of the city, carrying the effigy of The Grump – all those bad things, bad thoughts, bad emotions, bad politics – heading toward destruction and renewal.

The Grump was monstrous, but suspiciously familiar in his oversized blue suit, unnaturally orange face and criminally tiny hands. His unrealistically long red tie draped down the length of the parade float. We marched alongside him as we chanted “Burn the Grump! Burn the Grump!” all the way to the giant stack of logs that would soon be lit.

The Grump was set upon the pyre along with the boxes filled with our private thoughts, and torches were added to start the conflagration. The fire burned hot, and Dennis and Trudy’s faces glowed joyfully in the night as we chanted “Burn the Grump!” letting our past transgressions and wishes turn to smoke and disappear into the starry night. We made our way back to the condo, exhilarated and tired.

The next morning, we luxuriated in our pajamas in the condo and Dennis and Trudy taught us to play the “Kings in the Corner” card game. Then we went to the farmers market and enjoyed the Fall colors and golden aspens before we packed our things and left. Again, we could imagine Dennis serenading Trudy on the drive back to Colorado Springs. 

𝄞  “…'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair

And the days surround your daylight there

Seasons crying no despair

Alligator lizards in the air, in the air”

Betta and Thom

Glenn

 I’ve known Dennis for about 25 years.  We met at Atmel and often wandered to the Blue Star – usually AFTER work.  Nancy, Dennis and I were all going through some level of relationship disruption and found in each other kindred spirits. Nancy dubbed us the Popsicle Sticks which morphed into the p-sticks.  The name stuck in that like a bundle of sticks, versus just one, we supported each other, together - sort of like the Diamond Dogs in Ted Lasso.  Not sure we howled, but on occasion a growl or two was heard...

We ended up smoking cigarillos on the Cliff House veranda and drinking fine wine while floating in the pool at the Biltmore in Arizona.  Many good times were had. Through the good times, and probably more so through the hard times, we forged a deep friendship.

We’ve come as close as anyone in solving mankind’s perennial challenges.  How best to skate ski in Crested Butte, how best to yell at the Broncos when they are stinking, and other earth-shaking matters.

But seriously, there is no man I would turn to for counsel on how best to be a father, or a lover... er, I mean about matters of the heart.  I’ll always remember and frequently dust off his wisdom, that "a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways".  I think he stole that from the bible.... Is it ok to steal from the bible???

Anyway, it was a pivotal moment for me, at the Blue Star of course, when he made the powerfully simple point that when we split our energies or intention, try to hang onto the fence if you will, that we subvert both options.  Best to walk one path in life at a time.  This was on apt display a few years later when Dennis and I were sitting outside Rico’s wine bar when up walked Trudy.

It was like lightning struck.  Pretty sure I hear the thunder-crack!! Following his own advice, Dennis went all-in with Trudy and within a year’ish they were hitched, and a better pardner I could not imagine for my dear friend.  In fact, Trudy has become a match-stick – a mere splinter away from a full-fledged p-stick!

Since then, the years have flown by it seems. And now, Dennis is the point-of-the-spear as the p-sticks head in our seventies.  We have sung together, cried together and laughed together and I look forward to teasing him, when he starts wearing a diaper. 

But seriously folks, I’ll happily help him change his, if he’ll return the favor.

But really, seriously, to my brother from another mother, I love you and look forward to all the joy these next years will bring.

Glenn

Steve

 Dennis, CONGRATULATIONS ON GRADUATING to the 70’s where we seniors in the wobbling generation, still finish the race before those that think we are slower!    We will be at the finish line before all of them ready to give them a wack, if needed, with our speciality hand made canes just like Bat Masterson did in the 1880’s.   We seniors are the WINNERS!!!

Love you Man!

Steve Carter

Jimbo

 

Dennis, first let me say Im glad to welcome you to the 70’s club! Of course, it is only another reminder of how young we are, as our more “mature” spouses like to compliment us about ;)

Second, I hope (and believe) that this particular celebration for you, with your family all around, is one of the greatest gifts (and pleasures) you cherish, so I am glad to add my well wishes and loving sentiments to the occasion. 

Finally (and hence one of the few times I wont go on and on… lol), I look forward to sharing more adventures, more B-ball, and more of the everyday events that make a loving friendship like this one, so special…. one to cherish and enjoy as the road goes on…”

Namaste,

Jimbo

John

When I first met Dennis, I immediately knew we would be best friends. We were at the Atmel chilli cookoff and were sitting at opposite ends of the table. With all the chatter surrounding us Dennis and I were able to connect on a different level. It was obvious that our sense of humor and high level of intelligence (Ha! Ha!) was cast from the same mold. That connection has never faded and never will. I love you man :)

Thanks...

John

Jon and Joanie

WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT DENNIS HODGES THAT HASN'T ALREADY BEEN SAID BY SO MANY OTHERS? WELL, MAYBE ONE THING.

My name is Joanie Snyder, and I met Trudy and Dennis in 2017. Trudy and I were working together at the Women's Resource Agency, and as I recall, I was introduced to Den at an informal function. Of course, my first impression was, who is this guy with that great hair? Denny is charming and kind. It was obvious to me immediately how much he loves Trudy and admires everything that she does.

My husband and I started seeing them socially, and each time we did, we were just captivated by his warmth and caring for others.

When Denny got so sick and was sent to Anschutz Medical Center, Jon and I went to the hospital in Denver because Trudy couldn't get up there quickly enough and we didn't want him to be alone. As seriously ill as he was, when we walked in, he smiled and greeted us. He kept drifting off to sleep and each time he woke up—he smiled that incredible smile of his.

I think seeing him so sick made me realize how much I care about him, and I was aware that it was a different sort of friendship—not just that he was the husband of my dear friend, but rather like a brother to me. I've never had that sort of connection with anyone before, so I started mentioning that fact to him each time we got together as he was recovering.

I sincerely believe that I have lived before, as a female Native American, but back east in the Smoky Mountains. One evening last year while we were visiting Santa Fe with Trudy and Dennis, I asked him about his family—his mom in particular. He shared that Yvonne had always thought she was an Indian Princess! Stunning news, isn't it? No wonder we have this connection.

The end result is that I'm more fortunate than most of you. I shared a previous life with him, and now I have him on this journey. My greatest gift from the Universe is meeting and caring for Denny Hodges.  Happy Birthday My Brother.  Jon and I both love you so much.  

Joanie & Jon. 

 

Friends for Life

 

Old Friends are the Anchors that Keep Us Grounded through Every Season of Life.

Brent and Cathy Almond

 It is hard to believe that you are turning 70😂😂.  Growing up together that seemed like an eternity away.  Most of my memories revolved around your growing up on the farm and me trying to hitch a ride with your mom so as not to be discovered.  I really enjoyed being there even though it usually involved some sort of work feeding calves, moving hay, etc.  One of my favorite things was to go out to your house on Friday nights so we (Tammy, Margene me and you) could trick/ convince your mom and dad to let us watch Nightmare Theatre.  Their bedroom shared the wall with the tv so we had to sit close so we could hear without waking them.  Most of the time it worked.  I knew I would have a good time whenever we were together.  You had a motorcycle 

( I think Marvin won it at a raffle?) and snow mobiles. One valuable lesson we learned was that angry bees  can fly faster than moron kids who pelted their nest in the bunk house with rocks on a dead sprint for the safety of the back porch.

Our annual trek up the hill behind your home on Easter is a fond memory.  The four of us would pack a lunch and head out.  About half way up we would stop eat our lunch and decide the top was too far.  I don't know if we ever reached the summit.  Being able to drive brought a whole new dimension to our lives.  I don't know who had the fastest time from your house to the highway but it was always a rush with chickens, cows, tractors and who knows what else was around the next blind corner😬😬😬

I always enjoyed our trips to Salt Lake when Tammy and Margene lived there.  Catching the Greyhound bus was a real adventure heading for the big city.  I don't think our parents would have approved of some of the concerts we attended but we were with family.  Mike had his own car by then so we would pile into his 65. Mustang and head to state street or other destinations. 

High school was a great time for me for the most part.  Even though we were a couple of years apart we had some common friends.  Spending time at A&W is as a fond memory.  Our long hair was a shared burden by my and your dads.  I just found out that you actually got expelled from school for it??  There are probably so many other memories I could share but one last one is how proud/envious I was when you decided to serve a mission.  You don't know how much I admire you for that decision.    I hope your memories of our lives together growing up are as good as mine.  Maybe you could write a life history?   

Happy birthday Dennis!

Love, Brent and Cathy

Stephen and Joan

 Here goes with a funny memory:

“Imagine a very hot day in Assisi when we are all tired and thirsty.  We are trying to convince the tour guide to get us a taxi to the restaurant.  They seemed to think we could all climb up a steep hill that seemed to go on forever.  (Enter stage left) Evan who came to assist us older relatives with this impossible climb.  We survived, and refueled at a delightful Italian restaurant, and can now laugh about it.

There is nothing better than a loving family.  Dennis, you are well loved by all.  Wishing you a very Happy 70th Birthday!

Love, Stephen and Joan