David P. Dennler saved Eric M. Smith from drowning, Portersville, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1983. Eric, 7, was caught in a rolling boil of water after the rowboat in which he rode was taken over a dam and overturned in Slippery Rock Creek. Dennler, 40, unemployed mechanic, walked atop the dam to a point near Eric and reached for him, but he too was taken over the dam into the rolling boil. Maintaining a hold on Eric, Dennler tried unsuccessfully to swim from the turbulent water. Two men entered the creek and with the aid of Eric’s overturned boat removed Eric and Dennler, who was unconscious. They were taken to the hospital, where Dennler was detained for two days. Both recovered.
59064 – 6749
59064-6749Obituary
David P. Dennler, 55, of Hickory, Pa., died on July 8, 1998. He was born on Dec. 31, 1942, in Pittsburgh, a son of Evelyn Roberts Dennler of Pittsburgh and Frank J. Dennler. Dennler was owner and operator of The Woodworks of Hickory.
He was awarded a Carnegie Medal by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission in recognition of an outstanding act of heroism. Dennler saved Eric M. Smith from drowning on May 30, 1983, in Portersville, Pa.
(Edited from an obituary obtained from genealogybuff.com)