George Charles Dehne

George Charles Dehne, 78, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 19th. Born on November 14, 1946, in Philadelphia, George was the youngest of three siblings. Known for his sharp wit and infectious humor, he often described himself as "cute as a bug's ear," "a stylish stout," and "built for comfort, not for speed."

George shared 51 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Joan, who was not only his life partner but also his business partner. Together, they built GDA Integrated Services, with George leading the company as a visionary and Joan managing its financial operations as CFO. Their partnership was a testament to collaboration, creativity, and dedication. As a father to Charlie and Kate, George brought joy and spontaneity to every moment-from surprise peanut butter chocolate milkshakes to impromptu gold-panning adventures. His warmth, humor, and playful spirit made him a cherished husband, father, and grandfather.

George had a remarkable career spanning decades. Through GDA Integrated Services, he inspired his team to exceed their own expectations, offering unwavering support and mentorship. George's clients, which included prestigious institutions such as Columbia, Duke, Drexel, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and Northwestern, valued him for his expertise, humor, and candid advice. Ever the entertainer, George was known to pull out a prosthetic Pinocchio nose during presentations, joking, "Of course you can trust me!"

His career in higher education marketing began during his tenure as special assistant to the president at Carleton College from 1977 to 1981. There, he developed a groundbreaking marketing program that won four Grand Awards for Public Relations and Admissions from CASE and garnered national attention in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review. Earlier in his career, George worked as a feature writer for United Press International, creative director for Young & Rubicam, and director of the news bureau at Wittenberg University. He co-authored the seminal work Marketing Higher Education: A Handbook for College Administrators, solidifying his reputation as a pioneer in the field.

Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, George extended his expertise on a global scale as a Senior Advisor to the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) from 2008 to 2011, where he created and maintained the first Worldwide Global Survey of University Presidents.

A passionate supporter of a liberal arts education, George served as a trustee at both The Trinity-Pawling School and Allegheny College, where his dedication and leadership left a lasting impact. His contributions to higher education were further recognized when he received an honorary doctorate from Morningside College in 2015, honoring his illustrious career as an admissions, financial aid, and public relations consultant to some of the nation's leading colleges and universities, including Morningside itself.

George was a lifelong learner, earning a master's degree in education from Indiana University. He graduated from Allegheny College in 1968 with a BA in English and was a proud 1964 graduate of Germantown Friends School.

Ever an adventurer, George approached life with boldness and care. He delighted in discovering new cuisines, especially those inspired by the flavors of Spain, and lovingly referred to himself as "Guru Golly Gee," a self-described expert with an element of surprise and delight.

George is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Joan; his siblings Nancy Dehne Myers and Theodore L. Dehne, Jr. (Victoria); his children Charles Nicholas Dehne (Carolyn) and Kathryn Elizabeth Dehne (Peter); and his five granddaughters: Adelaide, Waverly, Louella, Isabella, and Cypher. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roberta and Theodore L. Dehne.

Ever and always sui generis, George was truly one of a kind-a man whose joy, humor, and unique spirit left an indelible mark on everyone he met. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you honor his memory with a smile and abide by his lifelong motto: "No whining." As George often said, "I had to be having fun, or it was time to move on. And I did always have fun-every place, every person, every client made my work and life joyful." "'Vosh Rikki Dosh".