Dennis William Bales, 72, entered paradise Nov. 23, 2020.
Dennis was first-born son to William and Marjorie Bales, born in Lafayette Ind., on Feb. 17, 1948. He was brought home from Laporte Hospital in Indiana to their family farm in the country, where the nearest town is called “Toto.”
He attended school in North Judson, Ind., and graduated at the top of his class in 1966. He earned a scholarship to Purdue University, from which he earned degrees in Spanish, English and Drama.
Dennis went on to earn his Master of Arts from Indiana University in Speech, English, Foreign Language and Teaching Higher Education.
From there he joined the U.S. Army reserve and went to bootcamp at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He served his tour of duty at Fort Bragg, Wisconsin.
Because he was so intelligent, he was promoted to First Lieutenant and made Prescribed Load and Logistics (PLL) Clerk, in charge of logistics and keeping track of everything that went in and out of the fort.
Two months after he became Lieutenant, Dennis received a letter from general accounting office stating the position was being terminated. Because the letter did not say he had to inform his C.O., he did not and kept doing the job for another two years until he again received a letter stating that the U.S. Army was creating a new position for a member of his unit.
The new position was called PLL Clerk. That’s correct, Denis had done such a fine job they reinstated him to the same job without ever leaving it. The U.S. military complex moves in mysterious ways. Again, he was promoted to Lieutenant First Class and complete his tour.
Dennis returned to Indiana, where a position had opened as Spanish teacher and West Noble High School in Ligonier and was waiting for him, Later, he left teaching to take a corporate position as lead trainer for TWA, then for other private travel agencies.
Dennis also taught English as a second language at Chicago community colleges, including Harold Washington College in the Loop. He taught at the Evelyn Echols Travel Academy also.
After a long stint working for travel agencies and teaching at different colleges, Dennis went to where he was needed most. He returned to teaching high school at Morgan Park on Chicago’s south side in the early 2000s. There, he was loved and adored by his students and the entire faculty.
He continued attending school his entire life, and submitted his dissertation for “Independent Studies for High School Education” at the University of Chicago.
Because he had such fine academic credentials, had met many important people and his social circles was so large, his last résumé was sent to President elect Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden and V.P. elect Kamala Harris, where he had been put on the short list for Secretary of Education.
Dennis traveled everywhere from Amsterdam to Zurich, Australia to New Zealand and many more places with his husband, Bub B.
Dennis spoke English, Spanish, Portuguese and German. The last novel he coauthored with his husband, “The Million Dollar Code” by Ben Dales (pen name) and B.B. Beaudreaux (stage/pen name) hit the No. 1 spot on Amazon in December in the Self Health category and remained there until January 2020.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father along with his father-in-law John E. Pazier. He also was met in paradise by his sister-in-law Debbie (McLallin) Bales, who died from breast cancer in the early 2000s.
Dennis leaves behind his beloved husband, Bub B. (legally wed in Vermont, after it was the first state in the union to allow marriages between same-gender people) of 20 years and spiritually for over one fourth of a century. (FYI: When the Marriage Equality Act of 2015 was enacted, their marriage became legal in all 50 states).
In addition, Dennis leaves behind his two younger brothers, David Lee Bales (Joyce), Dale Alan Bales (Lauranie); his beloved mother-in-law Lovey; sister-in-law Robin; brothers-in law Jack and Rick, and his two most precious barn rescue cats, Porcupine and HedgeHog.
He was loved by nephews and nieces, their children and too many cousins and friends to name. He was the most loving, caring, empathetic and dedicated person in the world and will truly be missed by all!
In lieu of flowers, Denni’s wishes were donations be made to Wishbone Pet Rescue on Blue Star Highway in Douglas.
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