Dennis Lo
January 1938 — May 2025
Dennis Lo, age 87, passed on May 30 with his daughter and son at his side, in Lihue, Kauai, HI. He was born in Koloa, Kauai, to So May and Ah Heong Lo. Dennis was the second of four brothers.
Childhood activities included riding his bicycle and exploring the beaches and landscape of still-undeveloped Poipu and Kukuiula. The family camped at Kokee cabin, and there were trips to visit an uncle in Kihei, Maui. He was an avid reader and loved solving puzzles. At Koloa School he learned carpentry, gardening and grafting hibiscus, skills he put to good use as an adult.
After graduating from Kauai High School in 1956, Dennis attended Oklahoma State University earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. His first job was as a mechanical engineer on the Polaris missile system at Westinghouse in Sunnyvale, California. He then attended the University of California, Berkeley, earning a Master of Business Administration. He went to Huntsville, Alabama, to work on the Saturn 5 program to land a man on the moon, then Spreckels Sugar Co as factory maintenance engineer, United Airlines as a systems analyst and San Francisco State University as a computer coordinator. He loved the emerging field of computer science. Dennis later began a home repair and renovation business, which he combined with real estate investing.
Dennis had met an exceptional young woman, Shirley, in San Francisco; and as Tony Bennett sang, he left his heart there. He returned from Alabama to the Bay Area, and they married in 1964. Nancy was born, followed by Russell. While with United Airlines, Dennis traveled to Denmark with Shirley, and the family of four visited Hong Kong and Kyoto. In Nancy, Dennis instilled his loves of composting, repair, reuse, garage sales and dogs. To Russell he taught handyman skills and an attention to detail. The marriage was dissolved in 1988.
In 1996, he returned to Kauai to care for his father. It had been 40 years since he had lived on Kauai, and he said he felt like Rip Van Winkle. He reconnected with high school classmate Grace and began a partnership of 27 years. They enjoyed ballroom dancing, working on “fixer upper” renovations, and volunteering with AARP and Kauai County Recycling to offer computer support and composting education sessions. Dennis became beloved Uncle Dennis to Grace’s sons and their families. In 2004 he fulfilled a lifelong dream of going to Paris.
A longtime caregiver and friend said, “Dennis had a special gift. He brought out the best of each person who came into contact with him.”
Dennis is survived by daughter Nancy and son Russell; brothers Karl (Catherine) and Alvin (Pearl); nieces and nephews Diana (Wayne), Karen, Jennifer (Andrew), Suzanne (Long), and Bryan (Cheryl); and Aunt Sheila Lo (Uncle Moses deceased) as well as longtime partner Grace and her family, plus extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by parents So May and Ah Heong, his brother Edgar and sister-in-law Barbara.
A private memorial service will take place off Kukuiula, Kauai.
Regency at Puakea was Dennis’ retirement home. Skilled, caring staff emphasized “we are family” while providing healthy food choices, encouraging health and social skills through activities to stimulate mind and body, showcasing hobbies, and celebrating special holidays.
His family extends special thanks to Regency at Puakea staff, Kauai Hospice and a compassionate and kind team of caregivers, who helped Dennis feel comfortable, happy and safe.
Memorial donations may be made to Kauai Hospice, 4457 Pahee Street, Lihue, HI, 96766, (808) 245-7277, kauaihospice.org/.
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
Source: The Garden Island
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