Clifford “Dennis” Wylie

Clifford “Dennis” Wylie, 84, of Goleta passed away peacefully on February 28, 2024, with his loving family by his side.

Dennis entered this world on March 20, 1939. Born in Santa Maria, California to Clifford Dennis Sr. and Laura Evelyn Wylie, Dennis spent his childhood enjoying the companionship of his sister, Evelyn, riding his bike, roaming and exploring his grandfather, R.C. Wylie’s, vast Fairlawn Nursery property and nearby hills. Dennis left high school early to join the United States Coast Guard where he proudly served for several years as an Electronics Technician and Chief Petty Officer, travelling to destinations near and far, including posts in Hawaii and North Africa. Dennis loved his time of service and discovered an outlet for his curiosity, intellect, and passions.

One of Dennis’s defining characteristics was a thirst for knowledge. After leaving the Coast Guard, Dennis enrolled at Alan Hancock College where he received his Associates degree while also working at Vandenberg Airforce Base on early satellite technology. He then enrolled at the University of California, Santa Barbara as a Regent’s Scholar and went on to receive his BA in Physics.

While at UCSB Dennis got more than just a degree – he met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Bailey, who was working in the English Department at the time. They met on a blind date, married a short time later, on April 26, 1968, and have been married for nearly 56 years. They have a son, Peter, a daughter, Carolyn, a daughter-in-law, Jolyn, and a grandson, Jackson. Dennis was a devoted and caring husband and a loving father and grandfather. He was an exemplary person whose kindness, generosity of spirit, light and humor touched all he knew.

Dennis also had an adventurous side, especially his passion for motorcycles and airplanes. He took flying lessons and became an amateur pilot, flew in gliders, and always rushed outside to see the planes anytime one flew over. A recent highlight was going to an airshow with his wife, children, and grandson to see the US Navy Blue Angels and the US Air Force Thunderbirds and others at Point Mugu. He owned Harley Davidsons and off-road bikes throughout his life. He also enjoyed owning and travelling in an RV with Mary Ellen throughout the Southwestern United States and Canada. He had special times boating and fishing with Peter and Carolyn, always letting them catch the bigger fish!

Dennis enjoyed a thirty-year career as a human factors/ergonomics professional and developed an expertise in highway safety, driver performance capabilities, driver error, inattention, and fatigue. He participated in and directed major human factors research projects for the governments of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and private industry. Using this expertise, he directed the largest study of driver fatigue and alertness conducted in North America, leading to major revisions of federal and state rules governing working hours for commercial drivers. He and his colleagues also developed the national commercial driver licensing system. He was the principal author of the Commercial Driver’s Manual used by all state licensing agencies and trained the first examiners in each state. Over 9 million drivers have been trained using these standards so far. This contribution to driver and public safety was one of his proudest professional accomplishments.

For the last 20 years of his career, Dennis continued his dedication to public safety by working as a consultant and human factors expert in commercial motor vehicle accident litigation. Private practice provided the freedom to spend more time with family. He especially enjoyed working from home during those years and having the opportunity to have lunch on the backyard patio, enjoying the gardens and communing with the birds.

Through the years Dennis enjoyed many close friendships and loved his very active time at Trinity Episcopal Church. He served on the Vestry and Parish Council, had a long commitment to Adult Formation planning and a steady involvement with the Men’s Group and retreats. A highlight of those years was working closely with his dear friend, Bob Richards, planning and participating in the Trinity Science and Religion programs.

In 2020, Dennis retired and enjoyed spending his time with family and friends, especially his beloved grandson Jackson, and pursuing hobbies such as astronomy, music, gardening, and cooking.

Even when Dennis was ill or when injuries slowed him down a bit, he never lost his sense of humor and always found a way to touch and brighten the lives of those around him. Dennis will be forever missed and forever remembered by those who knew and loved him. We are grateful he is at peace and his spirit is free.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date for family and friends.