Dean Loren Dahlin

Dean Loren Dahlin, 68, of Chehalis, Wash., passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 22, 2019, after a brief illness. Dean was born in Centralia, Wash., on July 2, 1951, to Larry Dale and Betty Mae (Faver) Dahlin.

He grew up in Chehalis, and graduated from W.F. West High School in 1969.

He married his best friend and love of his life, Nicky (Hodge) Dahlin, on June 13, 2004, in Chehalis. The couple recently celebrated their 15th anniversary.

Dean was a locomotive engineer with Union Pacific for 42 years. He was also an important part of Washington Operation Lifesaver, an organization focusing on preventing or reducing fatalities and injuries at railroad crossings and property for 25 years. He served first as a volunteer, and later, as Chair of the Executive Committee. He was Lewis County PUD Commissioner for District #2 for 7 years, and was past president of the Washington Public Utility District (WPUDA) from 2018- 2019. Dean was well known in the community, but was perhaps best known as the iconic and loveable 'Weatherman Dean' on KELA and KMNT. Dean loved the weather in all of its forms, and read all that he could about it, starting as a second grade student at Cascade Elementary School. For 35 years, listeners were entertained by his forecasts, which were sometimes called in from home, and were often sprinkled with 'dean-isms' like 'hotter than a depot stove,' or 'hotter than a pistol packin' mama!' Several years back, a song was written about him titled 'Weatherman Dean,' that sold 3,000 copies and was on Sight and Sound's Top 40 list for a time.

Dean loved to travel and spend time with his beloved family and his dogs. He enjoyed watching baseball and wrestling, NHRA drag racing, and NASCAR. He loved going fishing and agate hunting, as well as gardening and growing roses. Dean belonged to a local dice group that met on weekdays over coffee.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Betty; and a cousin, Gary Dahlin.
He is loved and missed dearly by his wife, Nicky; children, Jason D. Dahlin and Amber D. (Brice) Anderson; grandchildren, Makenna M. and Makinley M. Dahlin; brother, Dale A. Dahlin; nieces, Crystal (Kasey) O'Reilly, Skyler Hodge McCreary, and Carlee Hodge; nephew Nathan (Sarah) Dahlin; cousins, Warren Dahlin and Sherry Chartrey; parents in law, Bill and Janet Hodge; siblings in law, Neil and Belinda Hodge; and many other extended family members.

Interment will be private at Claquato Cemetery in Chehalis. A celebration of Dean's life will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, October 12, at WF West High School, 342 SW 16th Street in Chehalis. A reception will follow the service in the school's Commons.

It should be noted that services are being held on the 57th anniversary of the great Columbus Day Storm that saw winds in excess of 179 mph, and so impressed an 11 year old Dean, that he spoke about its impact on his future career. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, PO Box 1245, Albert Lea, MN, 56007