Dennis Charles Buchweitz

Dennis Charles Buchweitz, of Pellston Michigan, died on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.

Dennis was born on April 30, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan to Mary (Knight) and Harvey Buchweitz.  The middle of three, Dennis has an older sister Janet (Terry Blumberg) and a brother, John (Norma) Buchweitz.  After Harvey passed, Mary met and married Bernard (Ozzie) Beeman and added two additional siblings to the family, Terry (Linda) Beeman and Mary Ann Coogan.  Dennis graduated from Lincoln Park High School, attended Ferris State University for 2 years and enlisted in the United States Air Force in August 1966.  Dennis took great pride in his Air Force career, considering it to be one of the best decisions he made in his lifetime.  In his military career, Dennis served as an Air Traffic Controller and then moved into Professional Military Education. The culmination of his career was serving as Commandant of a Leadership School and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Wing Commander in Sembach, Germany. He served in Vietnam, Thailand, and had several tours in both the US and Europe. Dennis retired as a Chief Master Sargent in 1993 and is still known to this day as “Chief.”  Many who served with him regarded him as a formidable leader and friend to all he met.  Post military retirement, Dennis went on to serve as a clinic administrator for dental clinics in Wisconsin, officially retiring in 2011.

Dennis met the love of his life, his “bride” of almost 53 years, Kathryn Marie Hock, at Lincoln Park High School. They married in 1969 and were blessed with two children:  Jeff (Beth) Buchweitz and Jennifer (Tim) Stull.  He reveled in the role of Grandfather, or as he was called “Chief” or “Chip” by his three grandchildren, Clay and Kate Buchweitz, and Mac Stull.  

Dennis’ happy place was on the golf course.  He loved to golf, but almost just as much, he loved his job as the Ranger at Hidden River Golf Club.  He enjoyed volunteering in the local community and was very active in the MANNA food project in Petoskey, as well as a Reading Buddy to the kindergarten classes at Pellston Elementary School. As an active member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church, he served as a regular reader and communion assistant. He was fan of taking walks around the Douglas Lake neighborhood, chatting with neighbors, or just enjoying a cigar on the back porch. 

Dennis considered his family the greatest joy of his life. He loved them dearly, enjoyed traveling to see them, watching the grandkids’ sporting events, and spending time with them. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, January 19th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Cheboygan, Michigan.  A celebration of his life is planned for July 23rd at the family home on Douglas Lake.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Cheboygan, Mi. (https://www.stthomas-elca.org/give.html)

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