Poway, CA – Dennis C. Klapwyk, 83, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024.

Dennis was born on February 26th, 1940, to William and Blanche Opal (nee Clark) Klapwyk in Missoula, MT where he was raised on the family's Cloverleaf Dairy Farm. He attended Missoula County Schools before enlisting in the US Navy in 1958.

Dennis served a 20-year career with the US Navy as an avionics technician and was mostly stationed in the San Diego area at NAS Miramar and NAS North Island. Dennis was deployed with the USS Kitty Hawk during three Vietnam combat tours and served with various other aircraft carriers during multiple training tours.

Following Dennis' naval retirement, he joined Northrup Grumman for a 20-year career working close with the US Navy as an avionics technician representative for the E-2 Hawkeye aircraft. Per his colleagues, "His mastery and teaching of the E-2 Hawkeye weapon system and radar contributed greatly to the combat readiness of the aircraft and its crew."

Upon retirement he spent his time charting genealogy and challenging others in their trivia knowledge. He often regaled his family with stories of his military service and his years growing up on a dairy farm. Dennis' love of country was preceded only by his love for his family.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 63 years, Annette (nee Hassell) Klapwyk; his two daughters, Susan Klapwyk of McCalla, AL and Janet Crews of Poway, CA; his three grandchildren, Trista Browning, Blayne Browning and Tyler Crews; his three great-grandchildren, Carter, Emma and Bragen; his brother, William Klapwyk (Patsy) of Hamilton, MT; a host of extended family and friends that include cousins, nieces and nephews; and his best friend, Steve Ford. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Barbara (nee Klapwyk) Chilcote, and his brother, Elmer Edward Klapwyk.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to his favorite charity, The Gary Sinise Foundation, in memory of Dennis C. Klapwyk, Chief Petty Officer (CPO), U.S.N. (RET).

Military Honor Services will be held at 11:30 AM on March 1st, 2024, at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Noble Drive, San Diego, CA.