Dennis died on 7/18/2022 from a serious illness. He became a accomplished microbiologist He lived in Riverside, CA with wife Brenda, son Eric and daughter Elyse and 1 grandbaby. Received info from Phil Meyers. Thank you Phil
Dennis was my closest friend in our class of 1959. We played football together for 3 years, wrestled together, and double-dated for the prom. He was always the gentlemen, stronger than an ox, but more gentle than a pussy cat (except when provoked). Our fathers worked together on the Parents for Athletics group that was responsible for building the stadium around the new football field and running track. May he now be resting in the peace of God's loving arms.
Dennis was always friendly, always in good humor, and he even laughed at my jokes. Athough I have not been in touch with him for over 50 years, I remember him fondly and mourn his passing.
Dennis was a good friend and will be sorely missed. His father and mine were both members of the same club and so there was that additional connection. We were in some classes together and both very active in sports, although different sports. We talked at some length at the 50th anniversarly celebration and he looked much as he had in high school (older, of course). I was shocked and saddend to hear of his death. Herb Freitag
At FLHS, Dennis was a friend and teammate. At Rutgers, he was my roomate. Our specializations took us in different directions, though we both remained within the academic world. Dennis was a scientist, a man of great probity, and a person possessed of a fine sense of humor. This is a great loss to all of us. Alfred Mac Adam
I feel honored to have considered Dennis my friend (and teammate). I believe I only spoke with him once since FLHS. He had retired from UC Riverside where he had written a book, “Microbes in Food.” I obtained a copy and intended to send it to him for signing. Procrastination prevailed. Truly a great loss for our class.
Denny Focht and I were friends for 78(!!) years. We met in 1944, when his family moved into their house on Well Drive two doors away from my family's house. We were in the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorer Scouts together, and we both went to All Saints Episcopal Church in Glen Rock, where we were alter boys, hard as that may be to believe!. While in the scouts. we hiked the Appalachian Trail from the Delaware Water Gap to High Point Park, and we went on canoe trips on the Passaic River starting out at Singac. He became an Eagle Scout, an impressive acomplishment achieved by few. We went different ways upon starting college, but we stayed in touch, exchanging cross-country visits throughout our lives. He took me to Joshua Tree National Park outside of Palm Springs, and I showed him Pictured Rocks National Seashore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We emailed each other regularly, signing off as "Your Oldest Friend". When his wife, Brenda, called me in April of this year to tell me that he was failing, I quickly got to Riverside to spend some last golden moments with him. I am grateful to Brenda for calling me, and I will always treasure my memories of the deep and long friendship that Denny and I shared.
Thomas J Giacobbe
Dennis was my closest friend in our class of 1959. We played football together for 3 years, wrestled together, and double-dated for the prom. He was always the gentlemen, stronger than an ox, but more gentle than a pussy cat (except when provoked). Our fathers worked together on the Parents for Athletics group that was responsible for building the stadium around the new football field and running track. May he now be resting in the peace of God's loving arms.
Dennis McGreen
Dennis was always friendly, always in good humor, and he even laughed at my jokes. Athough I have not been in touch with him for over 50 years, I remember him fondly and mourn his passing.
Herbert F Freitag
Dennis was a good friend and will be sorely missed. His father and mine were both members of the same club and so there was that additional connection. We were in some classes together and both very active in sports, although different sports. We talked at some length at the 50th anniversarly celebration and he looked much as he had in high school (older, of course). I was shocked and saddend to hear of his death. Herb Freitag
Guy J Agrati
Dennis was a good friend, and a great guy.I was saddened to heae of his passing. May he rest in peace.William Wilkens
Dennis and I were good friends. I spoke with him at length during both the 45th and 50th reunons. He was a true genlleman
Alfred John MacAdam
At FLHS, Dennis was a friend and teammate. At Rutgers, he was my roomate. Our specializations took us in different directions, though we both remained within the academic world. Dennis was a scientist, a man of great probity, and a person possessed of a fine sense of humor. This is a great loss to all of us. Alfred Mac Adam
Robert L Risacher
I feel honored to have considered Dennis my friend (and teammate). I believe I only spoke with him once since FLHS. He had retired from UC Riverside where he had written a book, “Microbes in Food.” I obtained a copy and intended to send it to him for signing. Procrastination prevailed. Truly a great loss for our class.
Philip Alan Meyers
Denny Focht and I were friends for 78(!!) years. We met in 1944, when his family moved into their house on Well Drive two doors away from my family's house. We were in the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorer Scouts together, and we both went to All Saints Episcopal Church in Glen Rock, where we were alter boys, hard as that may be to believe!. While in the scouts. we hiked the Appalachian Trail from the Delaware Water Gap to High Point Park, and we went on canoe trips on the Passaic River starting out at Singac. He became an Eagle Scout, an impressive acomplishment achieved by few. We went different ways upon starting college, but we stayed in touch, exchanging cross-country visits throughout our lives. He took me to Joshua Tree National Park outside of Palm Springs, and I showed him Pictured Rocks National Seashore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We emailed each other regularly, signing off as "Your Oldest Friend". When his wife, Brenda, called me in April of this year to tell me that he was failing, I quickly got to Riverside to spend some last golden moments with him. I am grateful to Brenda for calling me, and I will always treasure my memories of the deep and long friendship that Denny and I shared.