Dennis Quinn

Mass of Christian Burial for Dennis B. Quinn, 82, Eudora will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 18, 2011 at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center in Lawrence.  Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.  He died Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at Medicalodges in Eudora.

Mr. Quinn was born October 3, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY the son of Herbert and Thelma (Warren) Quinn.

Dennis was a veteran of the United States Army and was stationed for a period of time in Japan.  He was a resident of Lawrence area since the mid 1950’s.

After graduation from high school, he attended Creighton University and the University of Wisconsin.  He earned his Ph.D. in English and comparative Literature in 1958.  As a Fulbright Scholar, Professor Quinn did research in Holland and Spain several years, then also with the Ruth Baldwin Children’s Collection at the University of Florida.

He was director of Pearson College at KU and of the Integrated Humanities Program there.  In connection with this program, Mr. Quinn led two groups of students in Greece and Italy, and another group to study in Ireland for a semester.

He had numerous honors including the H. Bernard Fink teacher of the year award (1965) and the Hope Award (1975), known scholarly journals published articles of his written about many papers on these same subjects, on children’s literature and wonder.  In 2002 his book "Iris Exiled" about the history of wonder was published.

He was an Instructor in the English Department at the University of Kansas from 1956 – 1960, an Assistant Professor from 1960 – 1968.  He then became tenured and was a Professor of English until he retired in May of 2006.

He was a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center.

Dennis married Eva Mae Jensen on August 13, 1952 in Omaha, NE.  She preceded him in death on February 28, 2006.

Survivors include two daughters, Monica Sercer, and husband, Terry, Ft. Scott, KS and Alison Quinn, Lawrence, KS; one son, Timothy Quinn, Shawnee Mission, KS: daughter-in-law,   Marilee Quinn, Lawrence, KS; eleven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and two brothers, Daniel Quinn and Eddie Quinn.

A parish rosary will be said on March 17, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. with the visitation to follow at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, Lawrence.

The family suggests memorials in his name to Sancta Maria School – Eudora, KS, St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center or Clear Creek Monastery – Hulbert, OK and may be sent in care of the mortuary.