Dennis A. Henlin of Londonderry, NH, formerly of Dracut MA and Smithfield, RI, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the age of 71 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was born on November 23, 1954, in Providence, RI to the late Alva and Clara (Hansen) Henlin.
Dennis grew up in Smithfield, RI. It was there that he began to grow his strong Christian faith which continued throughout his lifetime. He attended Smithfield public schools, going on to earn his BS in Electrical Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA and later attending Steven’s Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ to earn his Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering. He loved the challenge of designing integrated circuits and was a true hands-on engineering manager, teaching others and problem solving along the way. Dennis was a strong but quiet man who always listened and offered his advice and help when it was sought. It was one of his many strengths that served him well in all aspects of his life. He worked for several large companies during his career. Raytheon brought him back to New England and after several years he moved on to work for Analog Devices, expanding his skills ever more. It was from Analog Devices that he retired.
He enjoyed learning new skills. There was nothing that he could not learn to do once he decided it needed to be done. He was always at his home workbench working on projects and improving his home. And he always made time to help others who came to him for help with their own projects. He was a man who loved hiking in the White Mountains, swimming, kayaking, and sitting with his computer keyboard under his fingertips surfing the web for his latest interest while he watched his favorite tv show.
Dennis is survived by his wife Sharon (Stephens) Henlin who was his high school sweetheart, together they shared 51 years of marriage. They were an inseparable team. Dennis is also survived by his son Alexander G. Henlin, his wife Elizabeth and granddaughters Madeline and Ava of Andover, MA; his daughter Cheryl L. Libby, her husband Matthew and grandchildren Maggie and Bryce of Payson, UT. Dennis was so proud of them all and his love for them knew no bounds.
Dennis is also survived by his sisters Deborah Henlin of Independence, KY, and Donna Baker of Stafford Springs, CT, his brother-in-law Bill Naylor of Smithfield, RI, his sister-in-law Sonya Muscatelli of Smithfield, RI as well as dear friends Richard and Donna Garnick of Madison, AL, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Claire Williams and her husband Edgar, Janice Henlin, and Joyce Naylor.
The family would like to sincerely thank all the staff, especially Parker Unit, at The Inn at Fairview, 203 Lowell Road, Hudson, NH for the compassionate, loving care that was provided to Dennis. Also Tufts Care at Home Hospice Program, 847 Rogers St, Suite 201, Lowell, MA for their help in making this journey one of dignity.
There will be no calling hours. Following cremation, a private celebration of life will be held in the fall for his family. Burial will be at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery, Johnston, RI. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090, or Bible League International, 1 Bible League Plaza, Crete, IL 60417.