Richard L. Deane

1927 - 2016

Richard L. Deane, 89, died at his home in Denver, Colorado on October 28, 2016, surrounded by family. Dick was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in Riverside, Connecticut. He was the youngest of three children born to James Donald and Ethel (Spalding) Deane on August 12, 1927. Dick graduated from the Loomis School in Windsor, Connecticut before enlisting in the Navy shortly before the end of World War II. He went on to graduate from Williams College, where he majored in English. Dick met his wife of nearly 61 years, Zyla (Watson) Deane, in Texas, where he worked briefly. Dick went on to work for GM Motors Holding before opening a Buick dealership in Denver in 1959. Deane Buick became Deane Automotive by the time he retired in 1994. Dick's real passion, however, was civic engagement. He was committed to Denver and worked to improve the city's built environment, business climate, and opportunities for children and youth. He was particularly passionate about early childhood education and development. Dick served on numerous business and non-profit boards, including the Denver Chamber of Commerce, Mile High United Way, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, and The Clayton Foundation. In addition, he served on the Denver Planning Board, the Denver Urban Renewal Authority, the Stapleton Redevelopment Foundation, and the Winter Park Board of Trustees. In addition to his many civic and business contributions, Dick was an avid fly-fisherman and skier. He also loved hiking his beautiful Rocky Mountains and watching the Broncos on Sundays. He was passionate about politics, enjoyed traveling, and played a mean game of dominos, gin rummy, and poker. He had an impressive jazz collection, enjoyed evenings at the symphony and theatre, and appreciated classic and contemporary works of art. Dick will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by his wife Ze, his three grown children Kate, James and Meg, sons-in-law Fred Franko and Dan Layden, one grandson, Cole Franko, two granddaughters, Aidan Franko and Jourdan Layden, seven nephews, and extended family members. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jimmy, and his sister Nancy. The family will celebrate Dick's life on Saturday, November 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Clayton Early Learning, 3801 Martin Luther King Boulevard in Denver. We ask that you do not send flowers. Instead, please consider making a donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver; Clayton Early Learning; or The Denver Hospice.