Dennis Robert Jensen was born in California on August 28, 1956. He was adopted as a baby to his loving parents, George and Barbara Jensen and grew up in Napa Valley, CA. From a young age, Dennis knew he wanted to be a pilot and achieved that dream quickly. He had a long career as a private pilot flying all over the world. He furthered his passion of flying by building and restoring his own airplanes. Most recently a beautiful blue Stearman. He loved tinkering on cars, motorcycles and anything with an engine. Dennis was also an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was an excellent shot who enjoyed making his own bullets.
Dennis leaves behind the love of his life, Chris Hollinger, who he spent an adventurous and wonderful 22 years with on their stunning homesteads. He also leaves behind his step kids, Sarah Iverson (Matt) and Joshua Scoggins (Cheri), their children who referred to Dennis as “Chief”. Also, his brother Karl Jensen (Tammi), nephews Riley and Kyle Jensen and niece Kelsi Lilienthal, as well as many incredible friends. Dennis is preceded in death by his dad George, mother Barbara and stepfather Manuel Ledesma. In accordance with Dennis’s wishes, there will not be a funeral service but there will be one heck of a party to celebrate his incredible life when the time is right.
Darrell Holland says
Our paths crossed when Dennis came to my long range shooting school for training. That sparkle in his eye told me he was not an ordinary guy, he was addicted to the sport and would become an exceptional student over time. Our friendship developed over several years and I made some great rifles for his collection. He evolved into a serious hand loader as well, extracting the maximum accuracy from his rifles. Dennis was a great pilot and came to visit me on a dirt airstrip in a DeHavilen Beaver, I’ll never forget as he flew into the sun he waved goodbye with the wings. We shared the same twisted sense of humor and our politics were arm in arm. We solved a lot of the world’s problems over the phone, unfortunately the politicians we excoriated failed to listen. I moved to Montana first and felt the State offered more freedom than Oregon , Dennis was getting restless in Idaho and I suggested he come to Montana and be my neighbor. The search for the “Jensen Hacienda” had begun. After several months he found his dream piece of property he can Chris could enjoy. He was extremely happy with his new acquisition, private airstrip, shooting range, a deer and elk herd. LIFE was good!
We know not the time and place of our departure from this earthly plane. Dennis and I had a lot of plans in our retirement but it was not to be. We can only speculate on the afterlife and its rewards, but if friendship, honor, integrity, kindness and a zest for life are to be judged, Dennis should have a front row seat in whatever lies beyond our existence on earth.
While I’m saddened beyond words by his departure, I try not to mourn the loss, but instead treasure in the moments we shared. Dennis, until we meet again, I’ll continue to sing your praises and find a marker for you at the school. You are gone but not forgotten…
Your friend,
Darrell Holland
Brett Milewski says
Pilot Dennis-
Our lives intertwined due to your passion of hunting and shooting. And from there I developed a love of flying and getting my license. Your stories of adventure are unrivaled and I will miss your phone calls and chatting about life. Thank you for the otter rides, beaver rides, info on flying, life, and the 3 hour long dinners at the Bellweather. You are one of a kind and will truly be missed.
To Chris and your family my condolences for peace and comfort during this difficult time. Tailwinds and blue sky’s my friend. I will see you in a hangar or on the tarmac in the future and I look forward to the conversation.
Brett
Greg Schwartz says
Dennis wasn’t one in a million… he was once in a lifetime. For 33 years I flew around the Globe with you and the adventures are baked into good memories. The nicknames and practical jokes we gave each other and played on each other were priceless… I’ve never laughed so hard in the cockpit.
Fly peacefully my best friend, and we will meet again someday up in the skies… until then, I know you’re with me, laughing and joking as much as ever . Pilot Dennis… Pilot Pickle! Capt. Crap Carpington! You will be missed everyday!
Maverick Goose says
Pilot Chief Dennis will be missed. I always remember him smiling and a little sparkle would come from his teeth like Harry from Home Alone. He could shoot a gun with the best of them. He had a sparkle in his eyes and knew he would be a good student. He rode a boat before! He has been to Hysham and even been to California in his life once. He is a truly once in a lifetime, one in a million and a 1 of 1. I will miss that guy!
Troy McClure says
I was so lucky that I got to meet Dennis and become friends. Dennis I really enjoyed the awesome dinners and different gatherings with you, Chris and Lou. The awesome stories and humor. Your awesome insights have impacted me and meant the world to me. Fly high my friend, until we met again.
Chris, I wish I could express words of comfort in this time but I have none that could help. I am conforted knowing Dennis is with Lou laughing and sharing stories. You also mean the world to me.
Michael Thomson says
Pilot Dennis,
There is no doubt you’ll be missed by many folks. We met when you were flying with Oakley, and subsequently got to know you better when you guys brought me on to do some part time flying. Didn’t take long to see not just what excellent piloting skills you had, but also practical mechanical knowledge as well. Your sense of discipline impressed us all, but there was always your great sense of humor always shining through. I was recently laughing, thinking of you as I walked this shopping parking lot, and noticed a “violator”. You that know him well will know what I mean. 😂 I look forward to seeing you again my friend! All my very best to the family and friends touched by this very special individual.
Sav says
I was fortunate enough to get to dialogue with Dennis at length when I had the privilege to sell his beautify restored Cessna 180. What I learned over the year that we spoke is that Dennis has more passion and more attention to detail than your average pilot/aircraft owner/mechanic. His work is worthy of the Smithsonian Museum. Dennis is kind, compassionate and shared in others experiences in aviation. I wish for his friends and family to be able to heal from this tragic loss. I am confident Dennis is enjoying fair weather and tailwinds on his next adventure.
Dave Heredia says
Dennis and I worked together a few times. Once through Aviation Methods and the second was Retlaw Jet Charter and then in Orange County, Ca. on the Falcon 50.
He was such a good person and we had fun working together for few years. he will always be missed !!!
Jason Silbernagle says
Dennis,
It was a pleasure to have known you and to have been blessed with the years of shooting, curating firearms, talking airplanes and solving the world’s problems with you. Your insights into aviation where my perspectives were limited were always valued by me, and those insights have been an integral part of my aviation journey. It saddens me that we will not be able to strike out into Montana as we had been planning to do to find adventure and build on our long range capabilities. Your time on this plane was too short my friend. You will be greatly missed. Our time as friends on this plane of existence was one that I will never forget. You will forever be in my thoughts and memories, keep them in the ten ring up in the Big Sky my friend!
Until we meet again on the other side.
Your Friend
Jason SIlbernagle
Janis Ghazel says
Although unable to attend Dennis’s memorial event on Saturday, I will be there in spirit. Dennis was a kind man with a big heart, and a pleasure to work with over the years. He left this earth too soon and is greatly missed.
Liza Spahr Saunders says
It has been a while since we have seen Dennis. We are so sorry to hear of our childhood friend passing.
I saw Dennis at his mom’s celebration of life and caught up. Many great memories growing up on Atlas Peak Rd with both our
Families.
Condolences to Chris and all his family and Karl and family
Sincerely
Peter Spahr and Liza Spahr Saunders