Msgt Dennis Svab Usaf, Ret.

Dennis “Denny” Henry Svab of Cleveland, Ohio, passed away Saturday, July 27, 2019, in Abilene, TX.

Denny was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 23, 1948, to Henry and Anna Svab. He graduated from Cleveland’s John Adams High School in 1966 and thereafter joined the United States Air Force. He served multiple tours in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and was stationed in California, the Philippines and Texas.

Denny met the love of his life, Rosita “Rosie” Yalung, in 1968, while stationed at Clark Air Force Base, Philippines. They were married on February 8, 1969, and relocated to Abilene, TX, in 1983 upon Denny’s assignment to Dyess Air Force Base. Denny and Rosie were married for 50 years and renewed their vows earlier this month.

Denny was a decorated C-130 Hercules Flight Engineer who flew missions throughout the world. Among others, he was assigned to the 21st Tactical Airlift Squadron at Clark Air Force Base and both the 773d and 463d Tactical Airlift Squadrons at Dyess Air Force Base, from which he retired in 1987 after serving for more than 21 years. Upon his retirement from the United States Air Force, Denny started his second career as the Chief Flight Engineer at the Dyess Air Force Base C-130 Simulator, where Denny logged an incredible 1,400 hours as a flight engineer instructor. After twenty-four more years of service, Denny finally retired in May of 2011.

Denny was a dedicated husband, father and an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, fishing and boating with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was an accomplished golfer who could consistently shoot games in the mid-80s, and he had a few “hole-in-ones” to his name. Above all Denny was a humble, generous and loving man who cared deeply for his family, his friends and his faith. His presence and his enormous sense of humor will be profoundly missed by his family and friends and all those he touched over the course of his incredible life.

Denny was preceded in death by his father Henry “Hank” Svab, mother Anna Svab [Vanta], mother-in-law Beatriz Rueda, brother-in-law Jessie Yalung and his sister-in-law Martez Garcia.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife Rosie Svab of Abilene, TX; daughter Beverly Champagne and husband Richard of Abilene, TX; daughter April Green and husband Jay of Brentwood, CA; daughter Josephine Wright and husband George of Tucson, AZ; granddaughter Bethanne Green of Brentwood, CA; grandson Josef Champagne of Abilene, TX; granddaughter Chloe Green of Brentwood, CA; sister-in-law Afring Johnson and husband Erik of Gainesville, VA; brother David Svab and wife Beverly of Garfield Heights, OH; cousin Zeny Huddleston and husband Donnie of Abilene, TX; and a host of extended family and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, Denny’s family asks that you consider donating to the Hendrick Hospice Care Center: http://www.hendrickhospice.org/hospice/hospice-donate.aspx in the name of “Denny Svab.”