Dennis Nord

Dennis Nord 

Dennis Charles Nord passed away peacefully on September 20, 2024. 

Dennis was born on July 27, 1940 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He joined the US Navy as a young man and proudly served his country. He married the love of his life, Beverly Pitcher, on May 12, 1962. Dennis joined his dad working for Burlington Northern Railroad. Soon, Beverly and Dennis were blessed with two daughters, Debra and Tracy. In 1970, Dennis and his family relocated to Havre, Montana, where Dennis was eventually promoted to Foreman of Locomotives. Dennis spent his free time as an accomplished HAM Radio operator (and looked forward to the annual Ham Jam gatherings) and tinkering with every conceivable machine or technology he could get his hands on.

In 1982, Dennis and his family transferred to the Seattle area, where he spent the rest of his life. There, working with Lutheran Social Services, Beverly and Dennis fostered several children, including daughter, Hien, and two sons, Noh and Sean. The happy couple remained active HAM radio operators and volunteered for RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services) in service to their community. 

In 2004, Dennis and Beverly relocated to Port Susan, where they were active members of that crazy community of free spirits. After Beverly passed on and Dennis took ill, he spent his remaining years in assisted living facilities, cared for by his daughter Tracy and her husband, Sunil.

Over the years, Dennis was also the proud dog father of Misty, Leo, Bear, Jill and Teddy. He took great joy taking them for walks, teaching them tricks and telling his friends the stories of doggy misadventures. 

Dennis’s friends treasured his acerbic wit and ability to point out the foolishness of our world. As we would expect from a railroad man and technologist, Dennis was a bit of a perfectionist, who hated to see jobs done poorly. “If you’re gonna do it, do it right.” But more than tools and technology, Dennis loved spending time with his lovely wife, Beverly, and their friends, drinking a few beers and sharing the day’s news. 

Dennis is survived by his two daughters, Debra and Tracy, and their husbands; by his three foster children, Hien, Sean and Noh, and their spouses; by his eleven grandchildren, Amber, Ashley, Christine, Jessica, Justin, Kaitlyn, Matthew, Morgan, Sarah, Tyler and Vivian; and by his three great-grandchildren, Elouise, Korben and Weston; and by countless friends and neighbors who loved him. 

Dennis’s memorial service (with military honors) will be held on Saturday, October 12 at 10 AM at Solie Funeral Home (3301 Colby Ave, Everett, WA 98201).