Dennis Bechtel, 75, of Sweet Home, has passed away.
Dennis entered this world on Dec. 18, 1946, in the great state of Texas. In true Air Force fashion he aimed high, and flew off into the clouds on September 13, 2022.
Dennis served in the United States Air Force and saw action in Vietnam.
Unfortunately, his career as a radio host was short lived, as Pat Sajak stole the show, so he went back to running munitions on the Tuy Hua 500 where he received a Purple Heart, along with Agent Orange.
Dennis met Suzan in Cali while working in the shipyards and, in 1979, Dennis and Suzan married. After they married they left San Diego and moved to the farm in Oregon.
Dennis served in the Sweet Home Elks Lodge, holding many titles, from Exalted Ruler to District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler.
During all this Dennis found time to earn his master’s degree from OSU, owned his own ad agency, and finished his teaching career as professor and department chair at Linn-Benton Community College.
As Dennis lived his life, he traveled on several trips to meet up with his fellow misfits from their days in Vietnam.
You knew you were going to have a fun time, enjoy a great meal and get a good laugh in when the Bechtels decided to throw down on the smoker or the grill, as you never knew if you were going to get a comedy show or karaoke contest, but you knew you were going to leave fat and happy from the food and companionship.
Dennis was blessed with and survived by a loving family: his wife, Suzan (Koch) Bechtel; his son, Dennis Bechtel II; two daughters, Gina Bechtel-Hicks and Aurora Bechtel; and brother Rusty. At last count there were seven grandchildren: Caitlin, Madison, Gaven, Zoey, Natallie, Kyleigh and Adalynn; four great- grandchildren: Isabella, Kinslee, Declyn and Carlyle; as well as his beloved grand dog “Sassy”.
He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.