Born in 1938 in Berlin, Germany, Dennis escaped with his parents to the United States in 1941. After growing up in Portland, Oregon, he attended Reed and he fell in love with Adele Goldfarb ’63. He wrote his thesis, “The International Trade of West Germany and East-West Split, 1945–1953,” under Professor Charles Bagg [history 1946–74]
Dennis began attending the University of Chicago Law School in 1959 and married Adele in 1960. He went on to practice law in Washington, D.C., but ultimately decided that teaching was his true calling. That realization led him to the St. Louis University School of Law, where he would teach for over 40 years.
Known for his thoughtful teaching, passion for debating, and dry wit, Dennis was deeply dedicated to his students, whether he was coaching the moot court team or teaching abroad in Bochum, Germany. The consummate academic, he won the Thompson & Mitchell Award for Outstanding Faculty Scholarship in 2000.
Dennis was never happier than when he was surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. He is survived by his wife, Adele, and three children, Julia, Matthew, and Deborah.
![Photo of Professor David Sacks [history 1986–2015]](https://www.reed.edu/reed-magazine/in-memoriam/assets/images/David-Sacks-obit-photo.jpg)
