Stories from Greg's kids
As read at Greg's service on January 18th, 2014 by his three children, Katherine, William, and Zachary.
My Dad was born in Leongatha, Australia. He came into a loving household of two older sisters Morgan and Deborah and his parents Stanley and Naldi. Throughout his childhood he would travel all over the world. Italy, England France, Western Australia, the United States, Africa, Spain. He somehow managed graduate high school from both Manhattan High School in Kansas and Zaragoza High School in Spain, a feat to which the workings of are still unbeknownst to me. A lesser known fact about my Dad is that he lettered at Zaragoza in football. When I came across the photo of him in his jersey I asked about when he played. I had never perceived my Dad as the athletic type and was excited to hear the story of the photo. Sadly, after he explained it my previous perception continued. Apparently, when there are less eligible players than spots on the team you make the cut. He later went on to Kansas State University, Oxford University, London School of Economics, and Washburn University School of Law.
As you may already know, for almost 30 years, my Dad practiced as a veterinary lawyer. I can remember being asked on multiple occasions what my Dad does. The first time went something like this. “`Oh, he’s a veterinary lawyer.’, `What’s that?’” I would explain and then be told, “Hmm didn’t know they had those.” Eventually my response turned into: “veterinarylawyeriknowyoudon’tknowwhatitisbutyestheyexistsreprentsvets.” He would lecture all over on current legal veterinary issues, the students he would speak to would enjoy his lectures and he would frequently be invited back to speak again. I do believe he enjoyed doing what he did. He had a love for the law and was able to combine that with my Grandpa’s expertise as a veterinarian. My grandfather had recently mentioned to me that the dean at KSU commented that my Dad had done more for the veterinary profession than most vets and that he could be described as a pioneer. I am proud of my father for this but I am unsure if I will follow in his footsteps. During what had been a quiet car ride my Dad once turned to me and said, “Whatever you do don’t become a lawyer.” Noted.
My Dad was able to connect to each one of us kids based upon our own interests. He would follow sports with Zach, and discuss past and present events with Will and occasionally conscript him in forced labor for a project around the house. Keeping up with their interests would pale in comparison to mine. Not once, but twice in his life I dragged him all the way to St. Louis to see none other than Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera. He probably wouldn’t admit it but a few days later he even said he didn’t mind “that Aguilera girl.” During the concert he have a look of what I shall call “disinterest” but somehow the next day he would always manage to carry on a conversation about particular songs from the previous night. As I look back on many of my interactions with my father I see how my interests changed and through each of those my dad kept up. Over the years conversations turned from teen pop music, to politics, to psychology, and our most recent discussion on graduate school life. My dad always had a way of keeping up and growing with us. Now if that if that is not a loving father, I do not know what is.
My Dad would later meet Catherine. We are all happy that they were able to find each other and spend the time together they did. When they were married he made an addition to his title…..Gregory M. Dennis Attorney at Law and member of the Lynch Women’s Men’s Club Since 2006. I’m pretty sure he may have put that on his business cards. I know they enjoyed their travels throughout the world. Somehow he always managed to return with a more goofy photo than the last. (See Blarney Stone Photo) It always seemed as if my Dad’s sense of humor, however perplexing it may have been at first, was always complemented by her wit. I know that he loved her, and was happy to be with her.
After a multitude of school plays, wrestling matches, basketball games, road trips, and summer nights spent grilling, dares to eat vegemite, watching The Simpsons, Wallace and Grommet, jokes which included convincing us that the Boogey man really was in the basement and that our grandpa had two birthdays I know that he will be missed. Even though he has moved on, I still know that he is here with us. Cases in point: My dad had once said “You never miss the opportunity to razz a Jayhawk.” If you did not know only a few days ago Zach was accepted to KU. While going through some of his things we found an all to conviently placed “Screw KU” button, and I somehow managed to eat vegemite that was expired by 13 years. I’m sure he will get Will here soon as well. Thank you.