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Dennie Clark Bretz
9 Jan 1932 in Kechi, Kansas - 11 Nov 2021 in Wichita, Kansas
Dennie Clark Bretz was born on January 9, 1932 in Kechi, Kansas to Admiral Clark Bretz and Elsie May nee Dexter Bretz. He married Doris Lucille Carey in June 1954 in Greenville, South Carolina where he was stationed at Donaldson Air Force Base. They were both graduates of Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. Dennie and Doris had four children: Cynthia, Denise, Catherine and Dana. Doris passed away in 1995. Dennie later married Ada Corena (nee Preston) Whitchurch. She passed away in 2015.
Dennie taught mathematics and coached various sports. He first taught a Floernce High School in Marion County Kansas. He then taught at Wichita High School West from 1958 to 1978 with a one year break in 1967 when he taught at Wichita High School East. From 1979 until his retirement from teaching in circa 1983 he taught at Wichita High School Heights.
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Christy Axford (Allen)
Mr. Bretz was one of my favorite teachers! He expected us to do the work, but it was obvious he enjoyed teaching. He made an impression on me concerning goals and achievement. And he was funny! I think he probably made a difference in a lot of other students's lives as well.
Theodore Shlechter
Coach Bretz was a great and caring teacher and person. ....I learned so much from him about math and life...
Scott Shepherd
Looking back, Dennie Bretz was an exemplary good man and a good teacher! He was a bit of a no nonsense kind of guy and I was kind of a clown. He didn't like me that well, but he would take me aside and encourage me. He taught me that math is a language and if you miss something early you will struggle later. And I will never forget his mathematical formula applied to eating "corn on the cob"!
Connie Blackburn (Lowery)
Coincidentally, after rarely thinking of Mr. Bretz since high school, I happened to be telling my son about him a few weeks ago. Mr. Bretz helped me get my first job, working at the Russell Stover candy store downtown. He had also been employed there as a young person, and had stayed in touch with the two older women who ran the place. I mentioned it to my son because he is temporarily working on the production end of a chocolate shop in Port Townsend, WA. However, he himself graduated from college with a degree in math. Mr. Bretz was such a dedicated teacher, and I remember being aware at the time that he was especially encouraging to girls who liked or showed talent with mathematics.