Meet Your President — Dr . Dennis J . Charlton
At Dr . Charlton ’ s induction into Springdale High School ’ s Hall of Fame 2008 , he ’ s flanked by his children , Eric , Dana , and James .
student in the last five years .”
He was a longtime little league baseball and softball coach while his children played those sports . These days , he is a soccer referee .
“ I enjoy the game from that perspective ,” he said . “ This helps to keep me fit and gives me the chance to be involved with the high school-aged kids now that my children are all out of the house .”
Denny and Lynn ’ s three adult children , James , Dana and Eric , are a great source of pride . James , 27 , is a fifth grade teacher . He and his wife Becca live in Las Vegas with their daughters , Annabelle and Gracie , who hold a special place in their “ papa ’ s ” heart . “[ They ] make the old adage come to mind , ‘ if I knew having grandchildren was going to be so much fun I would have done that first .’ I enjoy every moment I spend with those little girls and they make me feel very special .”
Dana , 23 , has completed her second year of dental school at West Virginia University School of Dentistry . Her husband , Daniel , is a Scout in the 82 nd Airborne Division of the United States Army and is currently stationed at Fort Bragg , North Carolina .
Eric , 21 , completed his junior year as an art student at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania .
Dr . Charlton said his family is truly his pride and joy .
“ I have a lovely wife . She is my best friend , the person I never tire of and she is as nice as she is beautiful .”
“ I enjoy my work , I enjoy my volunteer activities and I also find time for hobbies ,” he said . “ The biggest part of my leisure time is spent golfing or flying .”
He enjoys taking to the skies of western Pennsylvania with his private pilot ’ s license he ’ s had for nearly 20 years .
Dr . Charlton also enjoys cooking , making new recipes that he has either created or attempted to copy from a restaurant .
“ I also love to bake . My father was a baker and I inherited the love of making delicious baked goods . Although I don ’ t seem to get time to bake as often as I ’ d like , usually during the holidays I spend lots of time making cookies .”
Dentistry , teaching , learning the details of legislation , flying , golfing , coaching , refereeing , hiking , traveling , cooking , and of course , spending time with family . For Dr . Dennis Charlton , there ’ s a lot of fun to go around .
40 July / August 2011 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal