Dennis E. Nessman, 84, of Acton and Naples, Florida, died peacefully Sunday, January 28, 2018 in Chelmsford. He was the beloved husband of 48 years to Linda R. (Cremonini) Nessman. He is also survived by their children, Christopher Nessman and wife Christina of Imperial Beach, CA, Kevin Nessman and wife Gail of Maynard, Tracey Flannery and husband Eddie of Acton, Lori Folk and husband James of Boxborough; a sister Judy Peterson of Tulsa, OK, and 6 grandchildren, Melissa, Taylor, Brayden, Nicole, Simone, and Lance. He was the brother of the late Rudolph, Harry Jr, Dale and Allan Nessman, and Verna Larson and was predeceased by his grandson Kyle.
Dennis was born in Park Falls, WI, son of the late Harry E. Nessman Sr. and Ione E. (Laney) Nessman. He was raised in Superior, WI and was a 1951 graduate of East H.S. in Superior, WI. He attended Superior State University and later transferred to the University of Wisconsin receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1956. He earned his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1961 attending the University of Southern California. Began a long career in the Aerospace Field in 1956, working for Northrup Aircraft in Hawthorne, CA; in 1958 he joined the Aeronutronic division of Ford Aerospace in Glendale, CA, later merged with Philco; and in 1965 he transferred to its Massachusetts based division at MIT Lincoln Labs in Lexington. His company was later purchased by Loral and eventually by Lockheed Martin where he worked until retiring in 1996. In his career, he worked on range safety for missile launches and using radar data for missile defense systems. He has resided in Acton since 1969. Before that, he lived in Arlington where he was a member of the Arlington Tennis Club and served as the Chairman of the Nomination Committee.
Dennis and his wife Linda enjoyed Ten Pin Bowling and spending the winter months at their Naples, FL residence. He was a marathon runner and avid jogger, but his true passion was reading. He enjoyed histories, biographies, spy novels, mysteries, fantasies, and science fiction. He had a fun sense of humor and enjoyed games, puzzles and wordplay. After his retirement, he took up golfing. He cherished his family and always looked forward to spending time with them, especially later with his grandchildren. He will truly be missed but never forgotten.
Visiting hours are Friday, February 2nd, 2018 from 4-8pm at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Ave (Rte 111) Acton. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 3rd at 10:00am at the funeral home with burial following in Woodlawn Cemetery, Concord Road, Acton Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to The National Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 online at www.parkinson.org. Memorial page www.actonfuneralhome.com