Ellen Voyles

I first met Brother Dennis after responding to a very small notice in the "Volunteer" column of the old Wednesday Sun. He was looking for someone to help out with some photography; I was looking for something to do after our children had graduated from high school. What I discovered was not only "that something to do", but a person of immense integrity, curiosity, generosity and gentleness.

The curiosity was contagious, infecting all of us, I think, who worked with him with a desire to discover and learn more about the area in which we live. And his knowledge about it was certainly encyclopedic to begin with. That all of us were so inspired to be involved, indeed looked forward to it, was due in large part to the willingness and enthusiasm with which he shared this knowledge.

When I think back on the time I spent with him, other small details come to mind. I was to learn that there was a Midwest commonality to our lives. Even though a generation apart, we had both shared an interest in stamp collecting as youngsters. Not only that, I was astounded to learn that we had both read and been fascinated by the works of Joseph Altsheler, the author of historical novels for young adults. I've yet to meet anyone else who has ever heard of him.

I recall, too, that at the "roast" when he became Moraga Citizen of the Year, someone mentioned that as a young man Brother Dennis' favorite song had been Ramona.

It is a tribute to Brother Dennis that the Archives and the Historical Society itself thrive. They provide concrete reminders of the person he was that would be difficult to achieve in many, if any, other venues.

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