Feb 13, 2022

Dennis George Trelka, 81, of Coconut Creek, Fla., passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 28, 2022.

He was born on June 11, 1940, in Lorain, Ohio, to Martin Frank and Violet Marie Trelka, an only child.

He graduated from Lorain High School in 1958, and joined the United States Marine Corps shortly thereafter.

After an honorable discharge from the service, he attended Kent State University and earned both Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees. Upon graduation, Dennis attended Cornell University in the department of Neurobiology and Animal Behavior. He graduated four years later with a Ph.D.

Denny joined the faculty at Washington and Jefferson College in 1972, and taught and advised there for 36 years, during which time he rose from Assistant Professor of Biology, to full professor, to Department Chair, to Interim Dean of Students. He also won the Teacher of the Year Award. Denny retired from the college in 2008, after 36 years.

He was married to Constance Lee, nee Baker, the love of his life and his very best friend, in 1966, and they had two children: Darin Patrick and Jessica Lynne, of whom he was extremely proud.

In his leisure time, Dr. Trelka coached baseball and football. His true athletic love was racquetball where he won several tournaments at various age groups.

There will be memorial services celebrating his life in both Washington and Coconut Creek. Dennis moved his family in 2011, so that he could be closer to his granddaughter, Dennison Rae, and son and daughter-in-law, Miriam.

He was a life-long avid Cleveland Browns fan.

While living in Coconut Creek, Dennis volunteered at Daggerwing Nature Center until last summer, retiring from there after 10 years of service.