Unfortunately Cathy Fogel’s father, Dennis Mitchell, passed away last Friday. At this stage in our lives, so many of us have experienced the pain of losing a parent. In knowing this, please pray for Cathy, her mom, and the rest of her family as they feel the sadness, exhaustion, and introspection of mourning the loss of someone so close. If anyone wants to send a personal card of condolence to Cathy her address is: 580 Lois Dr, Akron, OH. 44333. Below is his obituary:
Dennis Lee Mitchell passed away on August 8, 2025 surrounded by his loving family at the age of 93. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 15, 1932 to Irving and Elizabeth Mitchell, both of blessed memory. Dennis was a graduate of Cleveland Heights High School and attended Cleveland College until he was drafted into the army in 1953, where he served as a motion picture photographer in the signal corps, taking pictures of test rockets and missiles at White Sands Proving Ground. When he returned from service in 1955 he worked full time with his father, in the family photography business, Mitchell Studio, until he took over the business in 1961.
Dennis met his wife Florence Rosewater (Flossy) on a blind date that neither of them wanted to attend. Luckily they hit it off and were married a year and a half later. They had a wonderful 64 year marriage where they raised two daughters, several dogs, a bird and a few goldfish.
Together Dennis and Flossy had a beautiful life filled with travel, weightlifting meets, swim meets, Torah study and friendships with people from near and far. Long time members of Suburban Temple Kol-Ami, Dennis served as an usher and participated in Vintage Suburban where he helped plan and organize senior outings and programs.
Dennis’s passion was weightlifting. He began weightlifting at the age of 11 and continued throughout his life. He was recognized for competing 70 continuous years, only stopping in 2020 at the time of the Pandemic. He was inducted into the USAWA (United States All-Around Weightlifting Association) hall of fame in 1998 and acknowledged in 2018 for lifting in 29 consecutive meets which was the most of any lifter in the history of the association. He was the oldest competitor at nationals that year. He holds 28 world records in all-round lifting and also participated in many olympic lifting meets. He participated in events worldwide and created many international friendships. He has mentored numerous new lifers and inspired others to pursue their interest in the sport. He served as the head of the International All-Around Technical Committee and held the offices of treasurer and secretary of the Ohio Olympic Weightlifting Committee.
Dennis was not a one sport individual. Over the years he participated in numerous athletic events. In college he participated in gymnastics and competed in judo. As an adult he was a member of Ohio Masters swim team competing for many years and also competed in distance running. He was a long time member of the JCC, which was like his second home, where he swam and was a member of the running club.
Dennis was also an avid gardener. He grew plants from seeds in the basement and had a magnificent flower garden. Later he also had a flourishing vegetable garden, not wanting his children to think that green beans came from a can. Additionally he was an accomplished musician which, over the years, had an impact on his children’s and grandchildren’s lives, much as his dedication to fitness and health served as a role model for all of them.
Dennis will be greatly missed by his wife Flossy, his children Cathy Fogle (Ron), Judy Mitchell-Loeb (Jim Loeb) and his grandchildren Russell Fogle, Erin Fogle (Cale Post), Jason Loeb and Jonathan Loeb. He was preceded in death by his brother Arnold Mitchell ,(Jean).
Funeral services will be held as Suburban Temple Kol-Ami, 22401 Chagrin Blvd. Beachwood, Ohio 44122, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Family will receive friends at Suburban Temple on Wednesday until 4:00 following internment. Shiva will continue on Wednesday from 6:00-8:00, Thursday from 1:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00, and Sunday from 1:00-4:00 at the Loeb residence, 34232 Summerset Drive, Solon Ohio 44139.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cleveland JCC, the Suburban Temple Kol-Ami, or USAWA (United States all-around weightlifting association).
Sent from AOL on Android
