Dennis Ivan Prichard

Dennis was born on Sept. 12, 1944, in Warren, Pa., the son of Camille Theodore “Ted” Prichard and Margaret Ebbert Prichard. He graduated from Warren High School in 1962, where he was active in marching band and orchestra. Dennis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Otterbein University as well as a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dennis was a veteran of the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps. serving in Washington, D.C. and Bien Hoa, Vietnam. Dennis died on National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day, a day commemorating the departure of the last combat troops in 1973.

Dennis met his life-long and surviving mate, Joy Aileen Siegel, while both were graduate students at the University of Pittsburgh. Joy and Dennis enjoyed many years as librarians in Ohio and then moved to Naples, Fla., where Dennis enjoyed several years as branch manager of Vanderbilt Beach Library. Dennis also loved his parallel 2nd career as a church organist, which began in at the First EUB Church in Warren at age 16 when he took over his father’s duties. He then served at three churches in Ohio and two in Florida.

The Prichards retired in 2008 and began spending more time in Santa Clarita, Calif,, following the birth of their grandson, Owen Richard in 2009, finally making a complete move to California in 2011 with the birth of granddaughter, Delaney Richard.

In 2012, Dennis accepted a position as organist with Bardsdale United Methodist Church in Fillmore, Calif, which he held until July 2014 when he was forced to retire due to the onset of Multiple Myeloma. Dennis made one last move to the Front Range in Colorado in August 2020 where he resided with Joy, Peggy, Derek, Owen and Delaney.

Dennis is survived by his beloved wife, Joy, daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Derek Richard, grandson Owen Richard and granddaughter, Delaney Richard; brother-in-law, Dallas Decker of San Marcos, Calif.; in-laws, Jean Siegel Eppinger and Bruce Eppinger of Pittsburgh, brother-in-law, Walter Siegel of Midland, Micj.; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Cynthia Decker; as well as several aunts and uncles.

A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

Those wishing to place memorials may do so through Warren Library Association at https://warren library.org/memorial_ honor/ or write directly to Warren Library Association, Attn: Director’s Office, 205 Market St., Warren, PA 16365.