Dennis Lee Chegwidden, 80, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025, at his home in Lewisville, Texas. He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Dorothy, and his son, Lincoln M. Chegwidden and wife Dawn of Flower Mound, TX; their daughters, Agnes Chegwidden, of Flower Mound, TX. and Mikaela Chegwidden Todorovac and husband Sanjin, their children Devin and Mia of Lewisville, TX. Also, in Fort Worth, TX., his daughter Stephanie D. and her husband, Donald Mitchell and from Florida, their children: son, Sean, and daughters, Lauren with children Wyatt, Evan, Emmalynn and Weston and Kelly, husband Jessie Waters with children, Jessie Jr., Natalie and Phoenix. Dennis is also survived by his sister, Vicki Rogg, of Salina, Kansas and many nieces and nephews.
Following Dennis’ death, his twin brother, Douglas, passed away in Topeka, Kansas on January 22, 2025. Dennis’ parents Byron and Grace Chegwidden, of Bunker Hill, Kansas are buried at the Bunker Hill cemetery along with other family members.
Dennis was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where his father was stationed in the Navy. After his father’s discharge, the family moved back to Bunker Hill, Kansas. His parents were employed by the U.S. Postal Service. In school, Dennis participated in sports of football, basketball, and track and graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1962. Dennis and Dorothy met in Kansas City at Donnelly College. They were married on August 29, 1965. Dennis graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Art in 1967 and a Master of Science degree in Art in 1968 from Fort Hays State University. He became an Instructor of Art and Department Chairperson at Hutchinson Community College, where he taught for 20 years. During this time, he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Wichita State University in 1976. Receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English/Education from Wichita State University, Dorothy taught at Hutchinson High School and Buhler High School in Kansas. Dennis and Dorothy supported each other in their professional careers and education goals.
Dennis pursued his professional art career as well. His sculptures of cast bronze and steel and plexiglass were selected in over twenty national competitions and won various awards. A large steel sculpture, Maximal Minimal (also known as Picasso’s Hand) was purchased by the Springfield Contemporary Art Museum in Springfield, Missouri, for their permanent collection. A large outdoor stainless-steel sculpture, Inert Stabile, was installed on the University of Missouri, Columbia campus. Other large outdoor sculptures are installed at the Hutchinson National Bank, Hutchinson, Kansas and the Salina Cultural Art Center in Salina, Kansas. All of these sculptures are catalogued in the Smithsonian archive slide collection for large outdoor sculptures in the United States. In Corpus Christi, Tx another notable bronze cast at his Vulcan Bronze Foundry was “Windsurfer” purchased by the Whataburger Corporate Offices. Other art works are in public and private collections.
Moving the family to Corpus Christi, Texas, Dennis built his bronze casting foundry. Continuing his teaching, Dennis became an adjunct Instructor at Del Mar College and at Park College, Naval Base. Dorothy taught at Tuloso-Midway High School and as an adjunct at Del Mar College. After many years, Dennis and Dorothy moved to North Texas to be with their families and where Dennis taught as an adjunct Instructor for North Texas Community College. Dorothy was a high school English teacher at Flower Mound High School until retiring in 2013.
Outside of work and school, Dennis and Dorothy enjoyed antiquing and refinishing the early American wood furniture they collected. They participated in designing and building two homes together. Dennis loved Preservation Hall jazz music from New Orleans and Elvis. He toured museums and art exhibits with his family. He loved holidays and family trips, Western television and movies with John Wayne and James Arness, and watching football when the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys played.
Dorothy and his loyal friend, Teddie, a Chow-Chow, were with him when he passed peacefully on New Year’s morning in his bed at home in Lewisville, Tx.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., April 5, 2025, at the Bunker Hill Cemetery, Bunker Hill, Kansas, with Reverend Daniel Vandenburg presiding.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to his doctors in Flower Mound and Denton and Lewisville. The family appreciates the support of family and friends. Any memorials may be directed to the Juvenile Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.