A loving husband, father, and grandfather

Dennis M. Travis, age 67, of Edinboro, died September 26, 2011, after a brief, but courageous battle with cancer, at his home 201 Lakeside Drive, Edinboro, PA surrounded by the love of his family. Dennis was born in Erie, PA on August 14, 1944 to the late the Nelson R. Travis and Mildred E. Travis. Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn E. Brickner Travis, whom he married on August 21, 1965, and three beloved sons – Attorney Grant C. Travis, and his wife, Tara of Erie and their children -Grant, Sophia, and Claire; Tyler G. Travis and his wife, Beth Ann of Edinboro ; and Seth B. Travis of Boca Raton, FL. Additional survivors include two brothers – Nelson L. Travis (Sandy) of Buffalo, NY and Dr. Richard L. Travis, Ed. D., of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and four sisters – Susan G. Travis (Ron Brownlow) of Ann Arbor, MI; Kathleen J. Travis of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Lee Ann Travis (John Scaglia) of Orlando, FL; and Joy Ellen Travis (Bob Miller) of Cranberry, PA. He was preceded in death by a brother – Roger W. Travis (Linda).

Dennis M. TravisDennis is truly a product of Erie, Pennsylvania. He attended Burton elementary school. His large family lived in the Franklin Terrace for a period of time before moving to Edinboro when he was twelve years old. Dennis was a graduate of General McLane High School in 1962 where he played football, basketball, and golf. He graduated with a B.S. from Edinboro State College in 1966 where he was on the golf team and a member of the Collegiate Singers. He earned a M.Ed. There while serving as the College’s first full time graduate assistant in biology.
Like countless Edinboro boys, Dennis married a Pittsburgh girl who spent the summers of her youth at the family cottage on Edinboro Lake. His bride, Kathryn E. (Brickner) Travis, spent her summers at the Homestead cottage built by her grandfather which was located right across the street from Dennis????? childhood home. Kathryn also went on to graduate from Edinboro State College in 1966 with Dennis.

Dr. Travis held exciting and nationwide positions in higher education throughout his career. In 1967 his family moved to Baltimore, MD where he taught at the Community College of Baltimore. In 1969, they moved to Oxford, Ohio and he started a Ph.D. degree at Miami University. Dr. Travis earned his Ph.D. in 1974 and continued on as Assistant Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Miami University. In 1978, he accepted the position of Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Millikin University, Decatur, IL; in 1979, he accepted the position Vice President for Academic Affairs, Mansfield, PA; in 1982, he accepted the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of Maine at Presque Isle, ME; in 1983, he accepted the position of Dean, School of Natural Sciences, Weber State University, Ogden, UT; in 1987, he accepted the position of the Dean, School of Natural Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY; in 1989, he accepted the position of Founding Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, OH; in 1995, Dr. Travis accepted the Chief Executive Officer position of Penn State Beaver Campus, Beaver, PA; in 1997, he accepted the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of Arkansas-Monticello, Monticello, AR. He remained there until his retirement in higher education in 2004. In most of his leadership positions he held the rank of professor of biology with tenure.

Dr. Travis consulted with businesses and personal careers to facilitate their growth. He did a ????trategic Plan: A Guide for the Future: 2005-2015???? for the Erie County Public Library. Dr. Travis completed a book ????he Power of Personal Strategic Planning???? and also started a book on ????ersonal Leadership.???? A 2006 stroke prevented him from presenting the books in national public forums.
Dr. Travis and his family always returned to Edinboro each summer vacation. Following his retirement, Dr. Travis and his wife, Kathy, permanently returned to Edinboro where they built their home on Lakeside Drive. It was the location that Kathy?????s grandfather had built two cottages in 1919 and was a dream come true.

Dr. Travis was a respected leader in each community that he resided. His opinion and wisdom was widely sought in the academic and business communities. A man of faith, Dr. Travis was a respected member of the Church in each community that he lived. To his three beloved sons, Dr. Travis was a great father who always put his family?????s needs before his own. He raised three athletic sons and enjoyed watching them compete in their various sports from grade school through college. Dr. Travis also cherished his time golfing, hunting, and fishing with his sons. They are left with memories of all the great times they had just visiting with their father and discussing and debating the important issues of the day. To his sons, Dr. Travis was the greatest gentleman they have ever known.

Friends may call at Van Matre Funeral Home, 306 Erie Street, Edinboro, on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, from 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 8:00 p.m. conducted by Rev. Jack Risner, pastor of Erie First Assembly of God. Private interment will be held Thursday morning at Edinboro Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to Regional Hospice, 3526 Peach Street, Erie, PA, 16508.