Dean Ehmen

Dean Ehmen
June 29, 1934 - December 13, 2012
Resident of Fremont
Fremont resident of 40 years Dean Ehmen, 78, passed away December 13, 2012, at his home in Fremont, California.
Mr. Ehmen was born June 29, 1934 in Diller, Nebraska, to John and Gertrude Ehmen.
As a young man through high school, Dean attended a Lutheran boarding school in Minnesota to prepare him for the ministry. While school was not in session, he would return to work on the family farm in Nebraska.
His patriotism drove him to serve in the United State Navy. While serving in the Navy, he developed his passion for electronics and technology. He spent the next four years leaning advanced electronics.
In 1965, he joined NASA and applied his knowledge of electronics. He served as one of the top electronic engineers supporting NASA's Apollo Program through the well-known Apollo 13 Mission. During his this time, Dean and his wife Linda lived in Kauai, HI. While in Kauai, they started their family with the birth of their two sons John and Tom. While he was in Kauai, he volunteered as a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol Search and Rescue.
Dean retired from BART after 25 years of service. He managed BART's Train Control Department with a special emphasis on switch machines. Several years after retirement, he was recruited to consult on BART's SFO extension.
Dean could accomplish anything he set his mind to do. He was extremely handy and enjoyed wood working, water-skiing, gardening, and helping others. Dean took pride in his volunteer work as a shuttle driver for Kaiser Fremont and as an usher at Harbor Light Church. He taught electronics at The Adult Education Center to assist others interested in building a career in electronics.
Dean will most be remembered for his incredible sense of humour and passion to help anyone in need. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Linda; sons, John and Tom; granddaughter, Macy; three sisters and a brother.
Friends and family are invited to a funeral service on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at The Chapel of the Chimes, 32992 Mission Blvd in Hayward.
The Chapel of the Chimes, Mission Chapel