Dennis Martin Dijak

GREENFIELD – Dennis Martin Dijak, age 65, of Greenfield, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2013 at Morristown Manor. He was born on December 17, 1947 in Hammond as the son of Stanley S. Jr. and Helen Irene (Koi) Dijak. He graduated from George Rogers Clark High School in Hammond. Mr. Dijak received his Bachelors of Science in 1969 then later received his Masters of Science in 1973 both from Purdue University. Dennis married Diana Jean (Whitfield) Dijak on September 1, 1968 in Greenfield. He worked at Knightstown High School as a Physics and Math teacher for nine years. Dennis later worked at Carmel High School as a Physics teacher for twenty-three years before retiring in 2001. He remained very involved in the community serving as a Science Olympiad Coach, Science Club Sponsor, Teacher Association as President, Chief Negotiator and Building Representative. He was a Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellow. Mr. Dijak was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and served as a CCD Teacher. He was a member of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and also the American Physical Society (APS). In his spare time, Dennis enjoyed astronomy, Astrophysics, gardening, art, and reading science books and magazines. He has attended Programs at Princeton University, North Carolina State University, University of Maryland, Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC) and Fermi National Laboratory. During his lifetime, he donated blood and platelets for numerous years and also wrote and published a book titled “Beyond the End of Space and Time”. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Diana J. Dijak of Greenfield; son, Daniel M. Dijak of Greenfield; daughter, Suzanne E. (Paul) Dijak-Robinson of Indianapolis; brothers, James (Judi) Dijak of Lunenburg, MA, Robert Dijak of Hammond, William Dijak of Hallsville, MO; sister, Gloria (Fred) Portney of Munster; twelve nieces and nephews; and several great nieces and nephews. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Richard. The family wishes to thank the staff at Morristown Manor for their loving care of Dennis. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 24, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory in Greenfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 25, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Greenfield with viewing prior to the service beginning at 9:30 a.m. Father Bill Stumpf will be officiating. Burial will follow at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 E 91st St #100, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Friends may share a memory or send a condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to sympathy@erleweinmortuary.com.

Dennis Martin Dijak

December 17, 1947 - November 15, 2013