Dr. C. Thomas Dean

Dr. C. Thomas Dean 1918 - 2010 We lost a true giver on December 27, 2010 when the Lord called Tom Dean home. Always collecting or on the go, Tom began life gathering Indian artifacts and continued with an impressive gem and mineral collection. He was a talented woodworker, loved to travel and took up golf at the tender age of 80! He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. Born in Humboldt, Nebraska in 1918, Tom was the first in his family to attend college. He met and married the love of his life, Marjorie Kennedy on April 11, 1941. He enlisted in the Navy during WWII and served in both the European and Pacific Theaters and retired as Captain with the Reserves.After completing his doctorate at Iowa State, he joined the faculty of California State University Long Beach in 1952. Tom became Dean of the School of Applied Arts and Sciences, serving until he retired in 1980. At that time, he was the longest serving Dean in the California State University system.Tom was always active in the Long Beach community, giving back and helping others less fortunate than him. He was an elected member of the School Board for Long Beach City College and on the Board of Directors of Pacific Hospital and the American Red Cross for many years. He also was a member of Long Beach Covenant Presbyterian Church and in later years, Sun Lakes United Methodist Church. Tom was a 32nd Degree Mason.Tom leaves his wife Marjorie and his children Carolyn Shapiro (Andy) of Vermont; Thomas Alan Dean (Connie) of Oregon; and Nancy of Arizona. Tom's four grandchildren - Kim, Jeff, Sarah and Angela and five great-grandchildren - Kylie, Jackson, Brody, Cecilia and Avery will miss him greatly as well as his extended family of Carmen de Castro, Lorree Ratto and James PolkA celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on February 7, 2011 at the Sun Lakes United Methodist Church in Sun Lakes, Arizona.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Peru State College Foundation for the C. Thomas and Marjorie Kennedy Dean Endowed Scholarship at 600 Hoyt St. POB 10, Peru NE 68241 or to the nonprofit of your choice.