My Dearest Dennis [Allen Gast],

I am grieving your loss since you took a part of me with you when you took your last breath, leaving this world the morning of July 2, 2022 at the age of 76, in Albuquerque, NM, of natural causes.

I wanted to thank you for the beautiful life we created together – first by marriage and then as we celebrated the birth of our daughter Leslie.

Yours began on January 29, 1946 in Illinois, where at a very young age you experienced a brief stint as a Marine, honorably discharged. You continued to remain a patriot and advocate for our country and its constitution. You learned quickly that following your father's footsteps in the tool and die industry did not suit you. As a young man, you took your father's words of wisdom to heart when he told you, "if there is anything you want to do, don't wait till you get old – do it now" and your heart led you to sales and entrepreneurship– which gave you the freedom to travel. You were most proud when you were nicknamed "double 07" during your time in the counter espionage business. Choosing this path offered you a very free and colorful life. I am thankful for your path, otherwise we would have never met.

Our journey began in San Francisco and ended in New Mexico where we had a great life. As a little boy you wanted to be a cowboy. I'm glad you were able to live out that dream when we created a life in Los Lunas, owning horses, dogs and raising our beautiful daughter, Leslie G. Murphy. A more recent accomplishment was walking her down the aisle this past May and knowing she was marrying a man, Luke D. Murphy, who would stand by her and love her as much as you loved me.

Thank you, Dennis, for thanking God every night and telling me every day from the moment we met that you loved me. For always telling us how proud you were of our accomplishments. Loving us unconditionally. For being the best father, always encouraging her to follow her heart and no matter what, you were on her side.

You leave behind a wife Lorri, daughter Leslie, son-in-law Luke, a brother Skip, a sister Vicki, four nephews Matthew, Geoff, Alec & Shane and a niece, Autumn - who you loved all so very much.

We will miss you.

Love you forever and ever and 10 years,

Your Honey