Dennis Larue Reside of Madison, Alabama passed away in Huntsville, Alabama on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 after a five year battle with interstitial lung disease and mouth cancer. He was 71.
Dennis was born on May 31, 1952 in Bloomington, Illinois, the first child of Evelyn Ruth Reside and Donald Larue Reside. Donald’s work in the insurance industry demanded frequent relocation within the central Illinois region throughout Dennis’s childhood, but the family finally settled in Springfield, Illinois. Dennis attended Lincoln Land Community College for two years before transferring to the University of Illinois where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1975. He worked for the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command for over forty years before retiring in July of 2016.
In 1977, Dennis married Kathleen June Cramer at Westside Christian Church in Springfield, Illinois. The couple started their life together in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri. Their three children, Doug (b. 1978), John (b. 1981), and Rebecca (b. 1983) were born while the family was living in Florissant, Missouri. In 1997 the Federal Government relocated the family to Madison, Alabama as part of the work of the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. Dennis and Kathie lived there until his death.
Dennis was a passionate amateur historian of human space exploration since his childhood and, in recent years, enjoyed volunteering at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center where he logged thousands of hours.
Dennis was a member of Huntsville Christian Church and a committed follower of Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his wife Kathie and his children Doug and wife Marilyn of New York, John and wife Jackie of Illinois, and Rebecca and husband Gus of Missouri. He has seven grandchildren including Joshua, Abigail, Zayne, Chayse, Kara, Gabe, and Benjamin. An eighth grandchild is due in January. He is survived by three brothers Brad, Randy, and Gary. He has many nieces and nephews.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Foundation.
