Dennis Dean Brittenbach

April 1, 1942 - August 23, 2022 Vallejo, CA

Dennis was born in Indianapolis and spent several of his early years on a small Indiana farm. That experience influenced and informed the rest of his life. He graduated from Portage High in Portage, MI and earned a BS degree from Western Michigan University.

Dennis married his first wife, Barbara, when they were both very young. They shared many joyous times as Dennis’ career progressed. They also shared the sorrow of losing parents. Dennis and Barb remained dear friends throughout his life. In fact, when Dennis and Beth moved to CA, Barb and husband, Marvin bought their MI house!

After college graduation Dennis began his professional career in Public Administration with the City of Kalamazoo and became the youngest person ever appointed to a department head position when, at 26, he became the Personnel Director (HR in today’s lexicon.) He served in that position for seven years.

Dennis married Beth in 1974 and shortly thereafter they moved to Vallejo, CA when Dennis accepted the position of Director of Personnel and Labor Relations for the City of Vallejo, a position he held for five years. After a short stint as a Labor Arbitrator Dennis was recruited to develop a Personnel Department for an LA software company that was preparing to go public. He returned to Vallejo to take a position as Administrator of the Solano County Health Department.

After more than two years in that position he decided to join the private sector, opening Frame Designs, a custom picture framing shop and small art gallery, in Vallejo. At the time, people scoffed, “a custom framing shop? In Vallejo!” but he quickly quieted the naysayers as the shop was very successful. He did every bit of the work himself. Beth kept the books. It was totally his endeavor and at the peak of business he had over 70 separate orders on hand; he fulfilled every one of them himself. The child of a gifted artist and an aeronautical engineer, he had an eye for color and design and the need to be precise and perfect in carrying out his craft, to the delight of his customers. And his customers were the best. Even after he became ill several of his customers refused to cancel their orders and instead offered help and support in many ways. Dennis was very touched by these gestures and he and Beth thank each of you. It was wonderful that he knew he was appreciated. Frame Designs had a successful 35 year run. In Vallejo!

His favorite leisure activities were working in the yard and feeding hummingbirds. At one time he had seven feeders going at once. He and Beth would jockey for position in the kitchen because he had a certain formula he had to follow that involved melting sugar in a precise way. In his younger days he liked working on cars and he and Beth greatly enjoyed RVing for just over 30 years. They had wonderful picnics on Pt. Reyes that were often shared with a fox or two. His fondest childhood memories were of his time on the farm with his Collie dog; but as an adult cats adopted him. Once, he called Beth to come to the patio. In a plastic bin were three tiny kittens that someone had left on the street corner in the hot sun. He fostered them (they were female and he named them the Andrews Sisters) until they were old enough to get all their shots and then they were put up for adoption. For years he’d trap and spay/neuter stray and feral cats (at his own expense; no special rates) then release them. Many (happily) would take off after the experience and never be seen again but over the years more than a dozen called our yard their home. Dennis figured he probably spayed/neutered close to 40 cats over the years.

Dennis and Beth would like to thank Kaiser Permanente Home Health Vallejo for their extraordinary care and support.

Dennis is survived by his wife of over 48 years, Beth; who was blessed to be loved by this man. At his request no services will be held. Anyone wishing to remember Dennis please consider a donation to Solano County Friends of the Animals (scfoarescue.org) or a charity/non- profit of their choice. Arrangements under the care of Skyview Memorial Lawn.