In Memoriam
A series of personal honors
In the summer of ’88, following my junior year of high school in Enumclaw, I attended Green River Community College to earn a few credits so that I could graduate EHS on schedule, the following year. I’m not sure most other kids would be excited by the prospect of summer school, but college classes offered the chance to study things that were truly interesting. I ended up in Psychology, Archaeoastronomy. Both classes would instill lasting interests, but one professor would inspire me.
In 1988, archaeoastronomy was almost entirely new for any general audience. The serious archaeological and anthropological work on the ancient peoples relationship with the heavens just hadn’t reached most people outside of the deepest corners of their respective disciplines. So it was that ours would be the first college introductory class on the discipline, to be taught west of the Mississippi.
While the subject was fascinating in itself, what truly inspired me most profoundly, then and now, was the professor, Dennis Regan. As a sixteen year-old, Professor Regan appeared as an average, middle-aged, American man. I wouldn’t have ever guessed by looking at him, that he would become one of my idols. He talked with a quick intelligence and gentle-but-unstoppable humor, and behind the podium he was transformed into a sage character in a Philip Roth novel. He asked questions and listed, and only ever seemed to lose his patience when discussing the delusional and racist “ancient alien” fictions authored by convicted fraudsters and professional hucksters, like Erich von Däniken.
Mr. Regan talked openly about his heart condition, and diabetes, and his unwillingness to conceded his passions—like adventuring to remote locations on archaeological hunts—even when they contravened the orders of his doctor. He was driven by his curiosity and delight for learning and teaching. I want to be like that.
August 2011
Dennis Frank Regan passed away at the age of 73 on Sunday, August 7, 2011. Mr. Regan resided in Kent, Washington, and died at Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington. He had a long battle with heart disease and diabetes.
Dennis Regan was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, oin March 19, 1938 to Fran and Edwena Regan. He attended high school in Wilder and Homedale, Idaho, graduating 1956. Dennis earned a BA from The College of Idaho in 1960. He received MS degrees in Physics and Chemistry from the University of Idaho. He was a Science and German teacher at Kent Meridian High School. He taught Chemistry on Kwajalein for a brief time. He became a professor of Chemistry, Physics, Achaeoastronomy, and Egyptology at Green River Community College in Auburn, WA, in 1967 and retired in 1998. He wrote a number of very entertaining short novels in his retirement and pursued studies in Gemology, History, Foreign Languages, Mayan Civilizaiton, and many other areas. Dennis was a true lifelong learner. He worked tirelessly on his family genealogy for many years. He was well known for his sense of humor and delight in a funny story. He will be remembered for his generosity, caring, intelligence, and great love for his family and friends.
Dennis Regan was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother Terry (Ardyth) Regan, Idaho City, Idaho, nephew Mark (Ann) Regan, Orofino, Idaho, nieces Duskie (Dale) Swearingen, Idaho City, Idaho and Dawn (Gary) Weiskircher Boise, Idaho and 4 grandnieces and 3 grandnephews. He is survived by his longtime friend and caretaker, Jason Um.
Cremation has taken place. He will be interred near his parents in Idaho. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be donated to a charity supportive of animal welfare, sciences, or human rights. In honor of Dennis’ love for students, a scholarship fund has been opened in his name at the college. Donations can be made to the Green River Foundation.