L. Dennis Farmer, 83, of Fairlee, VT passed away on July 25th, 2026, at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, NH after a sudden but brief illness. Son of Stanley and Ethel Farmer (Ahern) he was born on Oct. 26th, 1942, in Portland, Maine. A graduate of Gorham High School, Dennis enlisted in the Navy in 1962. He served for 30 years in the Navy and Navy Reserve retiring as Chief Warrant Officer 4. During his military career, he traveled the world on mapping operations and served aboard USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) on the coast of Vietnam in 1970. He was honored to serve aboard the SS Manhattan Arctic tanker for the maiden voyage through the Northwest Passage in 1969 for which he was awarded the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.

Dennis worked for Naval Research Laboratories conducting polar research for 30+ years. He spent many nights in the arctic and fulfilled his dream of going to Antarctica shortly before retiring. Never one to sit still, he started his own business, Bronson Hills Associates, continuing work related to ice studies and held a variety of local jobs.

His love of travel and service never subsided. He and Theda spent their later retirement years volunteering at National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges during the winter. He loved visiting his daughter in England.

In Fairlee and abroad he was always in pursuit of the perfect golf game.

Dennis is survived by his wife Theda, daughters Brenna (Jenny) and Bridie Farmer, her son Darwin MacGarvey Farmer, his sister Mary-An (Tuck) McGouldrick, brothers Stan (Joan) and Peter Farmer and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was loved very much by his grandson.

Funeral services will be announced in the fall.

Fair winds, smooth seas and Godspeed.