Late Basic High School teacher remembered as dedicated to students for three decades

Walking around Henderson, Sue Smuskiewicz is reminded of the legacy her husband, Dennis Leonard Smuskiewicz, left behind.

For 31 years, Dennis taught, coached, tutored and mentored students at Basic High School, 400 Palo Verde Drive.

“So often, people will tell me they had (my husband) in class or as a coach,” she said. “He had a lot of students. He even had some students and then later had their children as students.”

Though the 71-year-old died in June, his memory carries on.

Growing up in Illinois, Dennis decided to pursue a degree in education. After graduating with his master’s degree, he looked for jobs around the country.

“He looked at Clark County because it was the highest-paying district at the time,” Sue said.

In 1968, he loaded up his Chevy Corvair and drove it to Las Vegas. When he first got here, he lived in Naked City, the area of town near the Stratosphere.

“He would take Sahara all the way down to Boulder Highway, which was the first light, then take that over to the school,” Sue said.

He finally purchased a plot of land in Henderson in the mid-‘70s. Around that time, he met Sue. Dennis was a tennis coach, and she was looking for someone to learn from when friends introduced them.

“Our first date was a double date,” she said.

On that plot of land near Wagon Wheel Drive, Dennis told Sue he was going to build a house.

“I thought, ‘Yeah right,’ ” she said. “There was nothing else around.”

The two were married in 1977, and Dennis built a house on the land.

“And we’ve been in the house ever since,” Sue said.

While the couple watched Henderson develop around them, Dennis built a career as a math teacher and coach. Sue said he worked tirelessly with students to help them understand difficult aspects of math.

“He took pride at watching students get it,” said Sue, adding she runs into his students all the time.

“I’ve had people tell me he was hard but fair,” she added.

Michael LaMarca met Dennis when he was a teenager trying out for the golf team.

“I had never played before,” said LaMarca, “but he gave me a shot.”

Over the next few years, LaMarca said he was pushed to practice more and become a better player.

“He was always positive,” he added.

One year, LaMarca also had him as a teacher.

“He expected the same hard work in the classroom as on the field,” he said.

Even after retiring in 1999, Dennis remained active, taking a job as a U.S. Census Bureau worker.

“He also did a stint as a sports book writer, which was right up his alley since he loved sports,” Sue said.

Through retirement, Dennis took up new hobbies such as trying new recipes.

“He turned into quite the cook,” Sue said. “We would host progressive dinners, and he would make great meals.”

But one attribute she will always remember was how much of a sports enthusiast he was.

“Born and bred Chicagoan, he loved the Cubs,” she said. “I’ll miss seeing him and my son as they watched games together.”

His funeral was July 17.

As Dennis got older, Sue said he would joke that nobody would come to his funeral. As she went around Henderson making arrangements for the service, she met many people who sang his praises.

“He had an impact on so many students,” she said. “It’s heartwarming to hear what they say.”

To reach Henderson View reporter Michael Lyle, email mlyle@viewnews.com or call 702-387-5201. Find him on Twitter: @mjlyle.