Dennis Besecker Raven

Dennis Besecker Raven, age 66, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025 at Story Point in Troy, Ohio after an 11year battle with Vascular Dementia.  He was born in Troy, Ohio on April 14, 1959 to Barbara (O’Roark) and Jerry Besecker.

He grew up as a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Covington.  Dennis attended Covington Schools, was an exchange student in Italy in 1974 with CISV, and Upper Valley JVS in Piqua, studying Public Communications and Broadcasting, graduating in 1977. He was in the marching band playing drums and trombone.

During high school and after graduating, he was a DJ for local dances, worked at WPTW radio station in Piqua.  He also started working at BK Photo in Troy, becoming a professional photographer.  Dennis took many wonderful pictures.  He had an eye for uniqueness, odd and interesting things to photograph.  He then worked at Quality Forms in Piqua while attending Edison State Community College, where he earned an Associates of Science degree.  He then attended Wright State University earning his Bachelor Degree in Marketing.  He then went on to earn his Master’s of Business Administration degree from Concordia University in Wisconsin.

Dennis was very musical, playing the piano, electric keyboard, and bass guitar.  He played in groups from several genres of music including rock, country and gospel, throughout the many places he lived.

In 1986, he moved to Houston, TX where he worked for Compaq Computers, EDS, Coca Cola World Headquarters, Enron, University of Houston Medical Center, Technical Delivery Manager for DXC Technology, and as a Technical Writer/Editor for the Stryker Corporation.

Dennis moved to St. Louis for a short time working for Roosevelt Bank.  He then moved back to Houston for a brief time.

Next, Dennis moved to Michigan to work for Perigo from 2010-2015.  He retired in Michigan after his dementia diagnosis.

He then moved to Tacoma, WA for a couple years before returning to Troy, Ohio in 2021 to be closer to family.  In 2022, he went to live in the Independent Living Area of Story Point in Troy.  He was very sociable and even with dementia, he was happy and “popular”.  He was never without his piano books in hand and the residents always wanted him to play the beautiful grand piano.  In 2024, he was moved to the Memory Unit at Story Point, where he was well liked by staff and residents alike.  Listening to music was still one of his favorite things

Dennis was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara (O’Roark) Besecker; grandparents, Louise & Jesse O’Roark, Retha & Carl Besecker and special aunt, Kate O’Roark; several aunts and uncles as well as his Italian “Parents”, Ivonne & Athos Carboni.

He is survived by his father, Jerry Besecker of Covington; sister, Deb (Jeff) Shively of Covington; brothers, Patrick (Sonja) Besecker of Troy and Bill Besecker of Covington; his Italian “brother”, Stefano Carboni; nieces and nephews, Derrek (Tiffany) Shively, Aaron (Abby) Shively, Brent (Katie) Shively, Megan (Dylan) Owen, Matthew (Brittany) Besecker, Jessicah and Carlie Besecker, and special niece, Kenzie Bussell; great-nieces and nephews, Kennedy Shively, Grace Ann Shively, Nora Kate Shively, Theo Shively, Tucker Shively, Dianna Owen, Dexter Owen and Sincere Brickey.

Dennis donated his body to the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University. There is no service planned.

Donations can be made to Sun City Hospice for all of their amazing care the past several months of companion, comfort, and music therapy.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.stockerfraley.com.

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