Dennis sat behind me in anthropology class the day JFK was assassinated. He won't be forgotten nor will the memory of Dennis who was sacrificed in an illegitimate war. RIP
He came to my parties held in my parent's basement. He was a welcome addition and I was happy to see him, at my house and in class and in the halls of T"ridge.
In Trig class one Monday morning, Mr. Dore started ragging Dennis about the previous weekend's basketball game, God knows why, but Dore was a pretty sick man in a lot of ways. Anyway, it happened that Dennis had played the game of his life, scoring 20 points and hauling in double-digit rebounds, and I took some secret pleasure in letting Dore know what Dennis was too modest to mention.
Dennis was a smart, physically gifted guy with a natural comic presence. Before our senior student council year a few of us were sent to a statewide conference at the Univ of Illinois. Students from schools all over the state were sorted into groups to improvise skits about student life. The only one I remember was the Dennis group, because he stole the show with just a couple of lines and woebegone expressions. The audience cracked up and I found myself bragging "that guy goes to our school!"
Watching Dennis race up and down a basketball court, I thought he'd make a great track athlete, but could never convince him to go out for cross country or track. If I remember correctly, he was a sub-2 minute half miler in community college before heading off to the military.
Indeed Dennis was one naturally funny guy. Think of all the pictures of him doing hilarious skits in our yearbooks. The one that comes to mind is when an arrow had been shot through his head.
Whenever it was I first met him I must have mentioned to my mother about meeting a kid whose last name was Brask. She said she had dated one of the Brask brothers at the end of the 1930's when they all lived on Chicago's south side. Whadda'ya know ! It was Dennis' Uncle Fudge. After that Dennis always called me his ''almost cousin''.
Could it be that the great guy we remember was not as happy on the inside ...even then ? Do any of you know what really set him off in the end ? Had he been in Vietnam ?
Was it Mr. Neal's anthropology class we were in when the JFK assasination was announced ? If so , it became instantly silent. Mr.Neal rested an elbow on the podium and didn't move. The bell rang and we walked out into quiet halls.
Steve Franklin, Durrie and I wondered where you had gone to college and what your career has entailed. You were with me at Waterman weren't you ?
In remembrance of Dennis Brask, in 2009 my brother Michael (Class of 1968) was inducted into the Vietnam Memorial Fund Honor Roll in Washington, D.C. Mike passed away in 1985 as a result of an illness that was military-related. When I received the Honor Roll Book listing all the inductees since the inception of this program, I came across a photo of Dennis, listing his date of death on August 26, 1977, after serving as a U.S. Marine in Vietnam 1968-1969. In so many ways, Dennis was one of the “good guys.”
I went to Lincoln grade school with Dennis -- and thought he was the "dreamiest." He had Elvis Presley style blonde hair and a dark golden olive complexion and light eyes. There was always a bit of a "troubled soul", "Rebel Without a Cause" quality.
At the last reunion, Ed Buckley (another crush of mine) told me of his suicide. Finding out now about his serving in Viet Nam give a potential explanation. Wars are unbearably senseless. However, to all of you who have served in the military, I respect and admire your courage and commitment. Does anyone know more about his life or family?
Stephan Altschul
Dennis sat behind me in anthropology class the day JFK was assassinated. He won't be forgotten nor will the memory of Dennis who was sacrificed in an illegitimate war. RIP
Melanie Eichhorn (Ferenc)
I'll always remember Dennis as the fun, upbeat guy! What a loss!
I was in the same Anthropology Class with Dennis & Steve. I remember it like it was yesterday and
I think it was the day theat "time stopped" and the room grew silent.
Melanie (Eichhorn)
Larae Vandenberg
I grew up with Dennis from kindergarten to high school lived two blocks from my house.Dennis was a great guy and fun loving!
Karen Pluskota (Kaemerer)
I can remember Denni. he always made me laugh.
He came to my parties held in my parent's basement. He was a welcome addition and I was happy to see him, at my house and in class and in the halls of T"ridge.
It was a shock and a real loss when he passed.
Karen (Pluskota) Kaemerer
Stephen Franklin
In Trig class one Monday morning, Mr. Dore started ragging Dennis about the previous weekend's basketball game, God knows why, but Dore was a pretty sick man in a lot of ways. Anyway, it happened that Dennis had played the game of his life, scoring 20 points and hauling in double-digit rebounds, and I took some secret pleasure in letting Dore know what Dennis was too modest to mention.
Dennis, not Mr. Dore, was a pleasure to know.
Durrie Monsma
Dennis was a smart, physically gifted guy with a natural comic presence. Before our senior student council year a few of us were sent to a statewide conference at the Univ of Illinois. Students from schools all over the state were sorted into groups to improvise skits about student life. The only one I remember was the Dennis group, because he stole the show with just a couple of lines and woebegone expressions. The audience cracked up and I found myself bragging "that guy goes to our school!"
Watching Dennis race up and down a basketball court, I thought he'd make a great track athlete, but could never convince him to go out for cross country or track. If I remember correctly, he was a sub-2 minute half miler in community college before heading off to the military.
As someone said earlier, what a waste.
Lyn Rau (Pence)
Indeed Dennis was one naturally funny guy. Think of all the pictures of him doing hilarious skits in our yearbooks. The one that comes to mind is when an arrow had been shot through his head.
Whenever it was I first met him I must have mentioned to my mother about meeting a kid whose last name was Brask. She said she had dated one of the Brask brothers at the end of the 1930's when they all lived on Chicago's south side. Whadda'ya know ! It was Dennis' Uncle Fudge. After that Dennis always called me his ''almost cousin''.
Could it be that the great guy we remember was not as happy on the inside ...even then ? Do any of you know what really set him off in the end ? Had he been in Vietnam ?
Was it Mr. Neal's anthropology class we were in when the JFK assasination was announced ? If so , it became instantly silent. Mr.Neal rested an elbow on the podium and didn't move. The bell rang and we walked out into quiet halls.
Steve Franklin, Durrie and I wondered where you had gone to college and what your career has entailed. You were with me at Waterman weren't you ?
Lyn
Karen DeCamp (Parrilli)
In remembrance of Dennis Brask, in 2009 my brother Michael (Class of 1968) was inducted into the Vietnam Memorial Fund Honor Roll in Washington, D.C. Mike passed away in 1985 as a result of an illness that was military-related. When I received the Honor Roll Book listing all the inductees since the inception of this program, I came across a photo of Dennis, listing his date of death on August 26, 1977, after serving as a U.S. Marine in Vietnam 1968-1969. In so many ways, Dennis was one of the “good guys.”
Carole Carr (Magnuson)
Per the Social Security Death Index, Dennis died in August 1977.
Carol Gustafson (Mertz)
I went to Lincoln grade school with Dennis -- and thought he was the "dreamiest." He had Elvis Presley style blonde hair and a dark golden olive complexion and light eyes. There was always a bit of a "troubled soul", "Rebel Without a Cause" quality.
At the last reunion, Ed Buckley (another crush of mine) told me of his suicide. Finding out now about his serving in Viet Nam give a potential explanation. Wars are unbearably senseless. However, to all of you who have served in the military, I respect and admire your courage and commitment. Does anyone know more about his life or family?
Carol Gustafson