Brother Whitfield's memorial service:

First Baptist Church
Thurs., Oct. 10, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
2932 King St., Alexandria, VA 22302
(703) 684-3720

Please see DE's obituary below:

Dennis E. Whitfield, AΔ ’71, died unexpectedly from an apparent heart attack on Aug. 18, 2024. A native of Albany, Georgia, he was 76 years old. Known as “DE” to his friends, he was as loyal a Chi Psi friend and Brother as you could find. As an undergraduate, DE served his beloved Alpha Alpha Delta at University of Georgia as #2 and #1, and he was one of the first five undergraduates to be elected to represent active Brothers on the National Executive Council in 1970.

DE’s service to his Fraternity would continue throughout his life as an alumnus. He was one of the Brothers who rejuvenated the Capital Area Alumni Association in the late 1970s and he helped Alpha Omega Delta at George Mason University when it joined the family in 2003. DE remained a contributor to both with his home nearby in Alexandria, Virginia. DE rejoined the Executive Council as an alumnus in 2005 and served for nine years with the final two as Chair. Brother Whitfield continued his national service in 2017 as a Trustee of The Chi Psi Educational Trust. Aside from events in the Capital Area, DE was a regular attendee at Chi Psi Conventions and annual Alpha Delta gatherings. His stories were plentiful and legendary. The photo accompanying this tribute is a great example of the joy he took in sharing a story with friends.

DE was a legend in Republican politics, conservative causes, and domestic and foreign public affairs and government policy. Everyone who encountered DE is better for it. Whether you were a foreign dignitary or the person waiting on him at a restaurant, you were treated with genuine respect. Even prior to graduating college, Dennis had jumped into politics, working for Jimmy Bentley’s 1970 campaign for Governor in Georgia. In 1976, he went to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he shared an office with the late John Schrote. As staff assistants to the Deputy Under Secretary, the two of them managed to become known as the go-to people for counsel on all political matters.

From 1977-1980, Dennis was one of the Brock Boys at the Republican National Committee. To this day, friends that Dennis and Linda made during this time remain close. With the election of Ronald Reagan, Dennis became the White House liaison at the U.S. Department of Energy. Soon after, he moved to the Office of the Special Trade Representative, headed by Bill Brock, serving as Deputy Trade Representative. In 1985, he was confirmed by the United States Senate as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor. Dennis was the leader of the Department’s Workforce 2000 Project. This widely-praised plan outlined what needed to be done in order to educate and train a workforce capable of competing in the world in the 21st century. When the Reagan presidency ended, he became the managing partner of the Brock Group. He then became Vice President for Political Affairs at the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). It is fair to say Dennis was central and essential in transforming NFIB into the political force it is today.

In 2008, Dennis was tapped to become Executive Vice President at the American Conservative Union (ACU). In addition to running the day-to-day operations of ACU, he was instrumental in directing the growth in the organization’s annual CPAC gathering. Today, most agree this is the largest single gathering of grassroots conservatives every year. He remained with the ACU until 2013. Until his death, DE’s “retirement” in 2014 was a well-kept secret. In every position he held, Dennis took the time to seek out younger individuals to teach them the landscape with a smile on his face and kindness in his heart. This was as true for his Brothers in Chi Psi as anyone else.

Dennis and his wife of 52 years, Linda, were long-time members of First Baptist Church in Alexandria. His faith was central to his life. Since 1997, he has been part of a Friday prayer group, and he participated right up to the Friday before his death. An avid sports fan, he and Linda have had Washington Nationals season tickets for 20 years. Each year, the two would journey to Jacksonville, Florida, for the football game between his beloved Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida Gators. For many years, they were members of Mount Vernon Country Club, where the two favorite places for Dennis were the practice tee and the 19th hole. In both places, you always knew he was present by the loud laughter coming from the area. After faith, family came next.

In addition to his wife, Linda, Dennis is survived by his sister Karen Spangler (Jeff), brothers Steve Whitfield (Donna) and Jeff Whitfield, as well as nephews Seth Spangler, XΔ ’02 (Iris), and Drew Spangler (Nicole), and four grand nieces and nephews. Dennis was predeceased by his parents, Dorris and Elizabeth Whitfield, Uncle Bill (Sarah Blow), and brother Charles Whitfield. America lost a patriot. Family and friends lost a great husband, wonderful brother, doting uncle, and a friend.

The Fraternity lost a loyal Brother who personified the meanings of Chi Psi. DE’s years of devoted service to the Fraternity have made countless Brothers just a little stronger, just a little happier, and just a little more sensitive to the finer things in life because they knew him. Rest in peace, Dennis. Memorial donations may be made to the Alpha Alpha Delta Foundation, care of John Binder, at 1097 Bridge Mill Avenue, Canton, Georgia 30114.