Lake Barrington, Illinois
April 14, 1964 - April 12, 2012

Born April 14, 1964, in Princeton, IN, Dennis passed away, after battling mesothelioma, Thursday, April 12, 2012, at Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington.

He graduated from the School of Technology at Purdue University, was a staff writer at several magazines, and was an avid researcher in aerospace history. He wrote the Almanac of Soviet Manned Space Flight, 1996 Russian Space Review, Soviet Space Planes, and The Repair of Salyut 7.

Dennis was a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff at Motorola Solutions, where he had been employed since 1991.  He was a technical expert in designing security systems and was an inventor, who held more than 10 patents.  Dennis’s inventions are used daily around the world providing secure communications.  His efforts have resulted in a long list of customers who remember his for his dedication in service and his interest in the security of our country.

Dennis was a wonderful father and a very loving husband and son.

Survivors include his wife, Ronghui “Jenny” Yang; son, Ryan Newkirk; mother, Ruth Newkirk of Hope, IN; and brother, David Newkirk.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lanson Newkirk.

The visitation for Dennis R. Newkirk, 47, will be Saturday, April 21, from 2 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 5 p.m., at the Davenport Family Funeral Home, 149 W. Main St. (Lake-Cook Road), Barrington. Interment will be private.