David P. Dennler, 55, of Hickory, died at 7:43 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, 1998, in Washington Hospital. Mr. Dennler was owner and operator of The Woodworks of Hickory. Carnegie Hero Fund Commission in Pittsburgh awarded a Carnegie medal in recognition of an outstanding act of heroism to Mr. Dennler. He saved Eric M. Smith from drowning May 30, 1983, in Parkersville. Eric, 7, was caught in a rolling boil of water after the rowboat in which he was riding went over a dam and overturned in Slippery Rock Creek. Mr. Dennler walked to the top the dam and reached for Eric, but he too went over the dam. Maintaining a hold on Eric, Mr. Dennler tried unsuccessfully to swim from the turbulent water. Two men entered the creek and, with the aid of Eric's boat, pulled Eric and Mr. Dennler from the water. Mr. Dennler was unconscious. Both recovered in a hospital. In 1987, Mr. Dennler married Barbara L. Gapinski, who survives. Also surviving are a son, David Dennler Jr. of Pittsburgh; two daughters, Linda Trischler and Barbara Elias both of Pittsburgh; a stepdaughter, April Wisniewski of Boise, Idaho; a brother, Frank J. Dennler Jr. of Pittsburgh; a sister, Cathy Costello of Pittsburgh; three grandchildren, Adam, Mark and Matthew Trischler; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased is a sister, Beatrice Caye. Copyright ©1998 Observer Publishing Co.Last updated Friday, July 10, 1998David P. Dennler
Received Carnegie Hero Fund Commission medal
He was born December 31, 1942, in Pittsburgh, a son of Evelyn Roberts Dennler of Pittsburgh and the late Frank J. Dennler.