Leslie Dean

Leslie (Les) A. Dean, who taught piano and voice at Senn High School for more than 30 years, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 2, 2025, after a multi-years battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He is survived by his dearest friend Lisabeth Weiner and her children Yaya and Solomon, as well as his healthcare companion Baasan Enkhjargal. He is also survived by his nieces Mindy Fine, Ellie (Norman) Seiler, Kathy Fine, Jacque (Lee) Bowlin, and Jodie (David) Bernstein, and nephews Michael Rabin, Steve Katz, Rick Katz, Larry Katz and Brad Katz and great nieces and nephews Vicky Specks, Brandon Seiler, Lauren Torres, Scott Bernstein, and Rachel (Brian Medansky) Bernstein, and great-nephew Emmett Torres. He is preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Helen Dean, sisters Rita (Howard) Fine, Mary Ellen (Max) Katz, Diane Glassner and niece Jere Specks.

Les, who was 83, was born in Albany Park. In 1959 he graduated from Lane Tech High School, where he was an esteemed member of the swim team and went on to hold the State title for breast stroke. He served honorably in the United States Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Les earned his BA from the University of Illinois, Chicago, and his MME from Roosevelt University in 1967. In 1980 he invented a music literacy system to teach children to read music through a hands-on music notation system. His company, Discus Music Education manufactured and distributed his music literary system to thousands of schools throughout the U.S. A warm and rich baritone, Les sang with the Chicago Symphony Choir and one of his proudest moments was when the choir performed at Carnegie Hall. Les also sang with many different synagogue choirs and was a member of the men's choir that sang for the High Holidays at Chicago Loop Synagogue.

A true renaissance man, his passions extended to all art forms. Les was an avid architecture buff, traveled widely, never missed an exhibit at the Art Institute, attended all performances when Pilobolus Dance Company was in Chicago, and loved Chicago's vast selection of art fairs. He was devoted to good health, studying yoga at ashrams in the Caribbean, taking hours-long walks through River Park in all weather conditions and earning his certificate as a raw food chef. With everything he did and saw, Les's greatest joy was teaching, sharing his knowledge, and inspiring others to never stop learning.

Graveside service Thursday, 3:00 p.m. CT at Memorial Park Cemetery, 9900 Gross Point Rd., Skokie. Les' service will be livestreamed on his website at www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com. Contributions can be made to WFMT radio, www.wfmt.com, the Institute for Therapy Through the Arts, www.itachicago.org or the charity of your choice. For further information, please contact Goldman Funeral Group (847) 478-1600.