Dennis Iverson Obituary

Dennis Alan Iverson

October 18, 1963 - July 18, 2024

Dennis Iverson, 60, of Corvallis and Yachats, Ore., passed away July 18, 2024, in Seattle, Wash. He bravely fought a rare form of cancer for seven years. He was surrounded by his wife, two daughters, granddaughter, son-in-law, mother, brother and sister.

Dennis was born October 18, 1963, in Missoula, Mont., but spent his childhood in Billings. He attended Rimrock Elementary, Lincoln Junior High, and Billings Senior High where he played football and was a state champion track athlete. Growing up he enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, and hiking with family and friends. He was also active in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Dennis attended Montana State University where he received a BS in mechanical engineering. There he met his future wife, Susie Bischke, also of Billings. The two discovered they had both gone to Mrs. Bell's preschool, and that Dennis was likely that annoying boy that pulled Susie's pig tails so many years before! Together they pursued the above activities with the addition of long-distance running.

Dennis and Susie married on December 28, 1985. After graduating they moved to Helena, Mont. where Dennis worked for US West for three years and daughter, Brittney, was born. Following an internship at Bell Labs in New Jersey, Dennis and Susie moved to Seattle in 1990 where daughter, Jordan, was born. While in Seattle, Dennis earned his MBA from the University of Washington.

In 1993 Dennis started a new job at Hewlett Packard in Corvallis, Ore. He worked for HP for 30 years, mostly as a project manager in R & D. He thrived in the HP atmosphere, loved his work, and more importantly loved his HP family. He was a popular boss, both loved and respected, who always attributed his successes to the talented team of people he felt fortunate to lead.

Dennis cherished family more than anything else. He loved being a "girl dad" to his two wonderful daughters and spent 17 years officiating at the hundreds of swim meets they competed in. He treated them to adventures of all kinds, including boating, fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding and many beach walks. He also enjoyed creating special family memories during trips to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Oregon, and Montana.

During his seven-year battle with cancer, Dennis was determined to keep living his best life. He was able to recover after each of his four surgeries, three different types of chemo, and two types of radiation. During those years he thrived while running a half marathon, completing two fifty-mile backpacking trips, enjoying several international trips, and going on countless hikes. He and Susie spent nine months living "van life," touring around the western U.S. during the Covid epidemic, all the while continuing to work. Dennis and Susie also completed phase one of their dream beach home on the Oregon Coast while living in a tiny house on site with three dogs. Most importantly, he felt blessed and grateful to be able to walk both his daughters down the aisle.

Dennis recently became the proud "Papa" to Zoey in July of 2022. Her smile brought him immeasurable joy. Although he fought cancer for seven years, Dennis always remained positive and grateful for his family and friends. He saw only the best in people. He believed life is a beautiful gift and to be thankful for every day we're given.

Dennis is preceded in death by his father, Glen. He is survived by wife, Susie (Bischke); daughters, Brittney (Derek), Jordan (Wikus); granddaughter, Zoey; mother, LaVonne; brother, Dave (Sarah); sister, Nancy; and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

The family would like to thank the amazing team we worked with at Fred Hutch in Seattle. We credit them for giving us seven more treasured years with Dennis. In lieu of flowers please donate to: www.fredhutch.org and specify Liposarcoma.

A Celebration of Life will be held October 6, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1108 24th St., Billings, MT.