Russell “Dennis” Harvey, 75, of Evanston, died Sunday, Feb. 20, at Evanston Regional Hospital from complications due to COVID.
He was born Feb. 16, 1947, in Coalville, Utah, the son of Evelyn Geraldine Harvey Dinsmore and the late Russell A. Harvey. He was the oldest of four siblings. On Jan. 7, 1967, he married Georgia Ann Blakeslee Harvey, in Evanston.
He served in the United Air Force Strategic Air Command beginning in 1966 and received an honorable discharge in November 1970. After his discharge, he was employed by the Evanston Police Department for a 33-year career.
In July 1977, Dennis became the chief of police, a capacity he held for 26 years. He was the longest-serving chief of police in the state of Wyoming at the time.
After an outstanding career in service to the community he loved, he retired from the City of Evanston in January 2005. He went on to continue his service to the community on the Evanston City Council for four years.
While chief of police, he completed his Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement in June 1993. He was an active member of the Elks Club, Masonic Lodge and Shriners of Evanston.
He was predeceased by his brother, Phillip Harvey; and infant brother Thomas.
He is survived by his mother, Evelyn Geraldine Dinsmore of Evanston; his son, Jeffrey Harvey (Catalina Charpentier Bowen) of Owasso, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Patrick, William and Thomas; step-grandchildren, Danilo and Ivanna; his son, Steve Harvey (Heidi) of Rock Springs; grandson, Dakota; foster daughter, Marilyn Spittler (Phil) of Colorado; grandchildren, Beth, Kim, and Cory; and former wife, Georgia Harvey of Evanston.
He is also survived by a brother, Larry Harvey (Dayna) of Evanston; sister, Janice Graville (Randy) of Bradford, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Barbara Harvey of Colorado; along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Viewing was held Thursday, Feb. 24, from 6-8 p.m., at Crandell Funeral Home. Services will be held at the Roundhouse, Friday, Feb. 25, at 11 a.m. in Evanston. Burial will take place at the Evanston Cemetery following the services.
A special thanks to the University of Utah Transplant team and Evanston Regional Hospital Emergency Room and COVID ICU teams.
