Dennis Christopher Heath, age 70, died peacefully on October 7th, 2021 in Spokane, WA after a long battle with cancer. He was born on March 16th, 1951 as the middle child to Wilma Jean (nee McLaughlin) and John William Heath. He was a lifelong resident of Spokane, WA, attending Linwood Elementary, Salk Middle School, and North Central High School. Upon graduating in 1969, he enlisted in the US Navy, where he proudly served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1973.
After returning home safely, he particularly enjoyed his months-long Arctic Barrens canoe trip, where he traveled 800 miles through the Northwest Territories, to the Coppermine River, and along the Arctic Ocean. He worked in various fields relating to machining, ultimately retiring from Holy Family Hospital in 2005. He was a proud father, grandfather, Navy veteran, and an enthusiastic novice helicopter pilot.
He took great joy in providing for his children and grandchildren, taking flying lessons in his retirement, collecting US military memorabilia, spending time with his dogs, and defying all medical odds many times since his cancer diagnosis in 2001.
Dennis is survived by his son, Chris Heath of Spokane, WA; daughter, Nicole Heath (Steven Shackelford) of Aurora, IL; grandchildren Soren Shackelford, Adrian Shackelford, Gabriella Heath, and Jack Heath; and older brother, Ronald Heath.
He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his sister, Mary Anne Ries.
He will be interred with military honors at Washington State Veterans Cemetery.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Nov. 14, 2021.
After returning home safely, he particularly enjoyed his months-long Arctic Barrens canoe trip, where he traveled 800 miles through the Northwest Territories, to the Coppermine River, and along the Arctic Ocean. He worked in various fields relating to machining, ultimately retiring from Holy Family Hospital in 2005. He was a proud father, grandfather, Navy veteran, and an enthusiastic novice helicopter pilot.
He took great joy in providing for his children and grandchildren, taking flying lessons in his retirement, collecting US military memorabilia, spending time with his dogs, and defying all medical odds many times since his cancer diagnosis in 2001.
Dennis is survived by his son, Chris Heath of Spokane, WA; daughter, Nicole Heath (Steven Shackelford) of Aurora, IL; grandchildren Soren Shackelford, Adrian Shackelford, Gabriella Heath, and Jack Heath; and older brother, Ronald Heath.
He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his sister, Mary Anne Ries.
He will be interred with military honors at Washington State Veterans Cemetery.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Nov. 14, 2021.
Dennis Christopher Heath, age 70, died peacefully on October 7th, 2021 in Spokane, WA after a long battle with cancer. He was born on March 16th, 1951 as the middle child to Wilma Jean (nee McLaughlin) and John William Heath. He was a lifelong resident of Spokane, WA, attending Linwood Elementary, Salk Middle School, and North Central High School. Upon graduating in 1969, he enlisted in the US Navy, where he proudly served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1973.
After returning home safely, he particularly enjoyed his months-long Arctic Barrens canoe trip, where he traveled 800 miles through the Northwest Territories, to the Coppermine River, and along the Arctic Ocean. He worked in various fields relating to machining, ultimately retiring from Holy Family Hospital in 2005. He was a proud father, grandfather, Navy veteran, and an enthusiastic novice helicopter pilot.
He took great joy in providing for his children and grandchildren, taking flying lessons in his retirement, collecting US military memorabilia, spending time with his dogs, and defying all medical odds many times since his cancer diagnosis in 2001.
Dennis is survived by his son, Chris Heath of Spokane, WA; daughter, Nicole Heath (Steven Shackelford) of Aurora, IL; grandchildren Soren Shackelford, Adrian Shackelford, Gabriella Heath, and Jack Heath; and older brother, Ronald Heath.
He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his sister, Mary Anne Ries.
He will be interred with military honors at Washington State Veterans Cemetery.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Nov. 14, 2021.
After returning home safely, he particularly enjoyed his months-long Arctic Barrens canoe trip, where he traveled 800 miles through the Northwest Territories, to the Coppermine River, and along the Arctic Ocean. He worked in various fields relating to machining, ultimately retiring from Holy Family Hospital in 2005. He was a proud father, grandfather, Navy veteran, and an enthusiastic novice helicopter pilot.
He took great joy in providing for his children and grandchildren, taking flying lessons in his retirement, collecting US military memorabilia, spending time with his dogs, and defying all medical odds many times since his cancer diagnosis in 2001.
Dennis is survived by his son, Chris Heath of Spokane, WA; daughter, Nicole Heath (Steven Shackelford) of Aurora, IL; grandchildren Soren Shackelford, Adrian Shackelford, Gabriella Heath, and Jack Heath; and older brother, Ronald Heath.
He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his sister, Mary Anne Ries.
He will be interred with military honors at Washington State Veterans Cemetery.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Nov. 14, 2021.
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