In Memory Of
William Dewitt
1934
2017
William Dewitt
June 5, 1934 — February 2, 2017
William "Dean" DeWitt, 82, of Lenexa, KS passed on February 2nd, 2017 after a decade long battle with cancer.
Dean was born June 5, 1934 in Miltonvale, KS to Russell and Lillian DeWitt. He lived in several central Kansas towns before moving to Kansas City for fourth grade. He graduated from Central High School in 1952. Dean played the trumpet and cornet. He went to Junior College and then attended the University of Kansas-Lawrence graduating with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
He married Elizabeth "Betty" Moehle on June 10th, 1956 and moved to Denver, CO to begin a career building missiles for the Martin Company. Bob, Ross and Deann were born in Denver. In 1966, he moved to Huntsville, AL for three years. Dean worked for Brown Engineering and contributed to Wernher von Braun's Saturn V Rocket development initiative and NASA's Apollo lunar missions program.
Moving to St. Louis to work on the Skylab project, he then spent 30 years with McDonnell Douglas/Boeing working on aircraft and computer guided missiles. Debbie was born shortly after the move. He also worked for Amax Steel and American Car and Foundry (ACF) during downturns in the aerospace industry. Dean retired in 1999, and relocated with Betty to Kansas City to help raise Jonathan, Katie, Morgan, Grant, Lindsay and Landon. He was ready to do the same for Cooper and Charles.
Dean and Betty celebrated their 60th anniversary in June 2016. He enjoyed his work, his children and especially his grandchildren. He was active in the church, ushering and traveling with the youth choirs. Dean was an Eagle Scout with 3 Palms, served as Scoutmaster and Adult Leader for 2 trips to the Philmont High Adventure Camp. He was inducted into the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and Order of the Arrow. He was a Mason and adult sponsor for International Order of the Rainbow for Girls/International Service Organization for Young Women. His latest volunteer efforts were with the The Children's Mercy Century Club. Dean's hobbies included hunting, fishing, painting, photography, reading and woodworking.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandchildren Cooper, Charles and Morgan.
Dean is survived by his wife Betty DeWitt; Bob and Susan DeWitt; Ross and Katie DeWitt; Deann, Tim, Jonathan and Grant Pasowicz; Debbie, Chip, Lindsay and Landon Harris and much extended family.
Described by friends as smart, gentle and helpful, we will miss his knowledge, persistence, and selflessness. Dean, your family and friends love you always and forever.
Donations can be made to Children's Mercy Century Club or Kansas City Hospice House
To leave a special message for his family please use the "share memories" tab above.
Dean was born June 5, 1934 in Miltonvale, KS to Russell and Lillian DeWitt. He lived in several central Kansas towns before moving to Kansas City for fourth grade. He graduated from Central High School in 1952. Dean played the trumpet and cornet. He went to Junior College and then attended the University of Kansas-Lawrence graduating with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
He married Elizabeth "Betty" Moehle on June 10th, 1956 and moved to Denver, CO to begin a career building missiles for the Martin Company. Bob, Ross and Deann were born in Denver. In 1966, he moved to Huntsville, AL for three years. Dean worked for Brown Engineering and contributed to Wernher von Braun's Saturn V Rocket development initiative and NASA's Apollo lunar missions program.
Moving to St. Louis to work on the Skylab project, he then spent 30 years with McDonnell Douglas/Boeing working on aircraft and computer guided missiles. Debbie was born shortly after the move. He also worked for Amax Steel and American Car and Foundry (ACF) during downturns in the aerospace industry. Dean retired in 1999, and relocated with Betty to Kansas City to help raise Jonathan, Katie, Morgan, Grant, Lindsay and Landon. He was ready to do the same for Cooper and Charles.
Dean and Betty celebrated their 60th anniversary in June 2016. He enjoyed his work, his children and especially his grandchildren. He was active in the church, ushering and traveling with the youth choirs. Dean was an Eagle Scout with 3 Palms, served as Scoutmaster and Adult Leader for 2 trips to the Philmont High Adventure Camp. He was inducted into the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and Order of the Arrow. He was a Mason and adult sponsor for International Order of the Rainbow for Girls/International Service Organization for Young Women. His latest volunteer efforts were with the The Children's Mercy Century Club. Dean's hobbies included hunting, fishing, painting, photography, reading and woodworking.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandchildren Cooper, Charles and Morgan.
Dean is survived by his wife Betty DeWitt; Bob and Susan DeWitt; Ross and Katie DeWitt; Deann, Tim, Jonathan and Grant Pasowicz; Debbie, Chip, Lindsay and Landon Harris and much extended family.
Described by friends as smart, gentle and helpful, we will miss his knowledge, persistence, and selflessness. Dean, your family and friends love you always and forever.
Donations can be made to Children's Mercy Century Club or Kansas City Hospice House
To leave a special message for his family please use the "share memories" tab above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Dewitt, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, February 6, 2017
10:00am - 12:00 pm (Central time)
Wesley Chapel at Church of the Resurrection
Service
Monday, February 6, 2017
Starts at 12:00 pm (Central time)
Wesley Chapel at Church of the Resurrection
Guestbook
Visits: 4
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