Dennis was born into an Air Force family at Torrejon Air Base in Madrid, Spain on July 14, 1961. Less than a year later, his family relocated back to the U.S., heading to Mountain Home, Idaho Air Force Base and the 9th Bombardment Wing, a unit heavily involved in post-WWII nuclear deterrence at the time.

Dennis, Susan, Rose and mom, Pilar, early 1960s.

Dennis spent his Freshman, Sophomore and Junior years (1975-1978) attending General H. H. Arnold High School in Wiesbaden, Germany. There, he made many lifelong friends and was part of the 1977 Wiesbaden Warriors Championship football team that won the AAA big school division that year.



After school, Dennis joined the Air Force and got stationed at Torrejon AB, the same place where he was born. A strong theme in Dennis' life is that he made friends everywhere he went, and with many different people, including the incoming soldier who took his place at Torrejon AB. The two would stay lifelong friends with much in common. Dennis got out of the Air Force in 1983 and chose to remain in Madrid, making it his permanent home. With his mother being Spanish, Dennis integrated easily with the local culture and called himself an Expat. He spent many years traveling between the U.S. and Madrid, frequently spending holidays with family and friends in the Washington D.C. area.

The Whitehurst family, Christmas 2012. Pilar and Calvin, Susan, Dennis and Rose.

He was very close to his daughter, Sarah, who was born in Madrid in 1993 and who still lives there today.



Dennis also developed many friendships in Madrid, and made a lifestyle of pursuing great food in the area. He and a local friend released a video with series potential called Gastro Hopping. It's a highly enjoyable video and a great memory of Dennis.

Dennis passed away unexpectedly on July 30, 2020 in Madrid. Considered a beloved friend and classmate by many, his loss hit the WHS alumni community especially hard. He is predeceased by his father, U.S. Air Force CMSGT Calvin Lee Whitehurst. He is survived by his daughter, Sarah Whitehurst, mother, Pilar Monroy Whitehurst, sister Susan Whitehurst Glynn and her daughter, Molly Asper, sister Rose Whitehurst Hellmann and her daughter, Emily Anne, and many extended family members in the U.S. and in Madrid.

There is no formalized notice to share, so we've gathered some memories and pictures shared by friends and loved ones in the hopes of keeping Dennis with us in spirit.