Dean Landman

Errol Dean Landman died November 7, 2025 in Topeka. Dean was born March 30, 1940 at home north of Athol, Kansas the son of Elmer William and Anna Maxine (Gordon) Landman. Dean was baptized May 2, 1940 at St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington, Kansas. He was confirmed February 27, 1955 at First Lutheran Church, Sabetha.

When Dean was 12 years old his family moved to Sabetha. Dean’s elementary education was at rural schools in both Smith and Nemaha Counties. Dean graduated from Sabetha High School in May 1958. Dean graduated from Kansas State University in August 1963 with a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering. Dean received an M.S. Degree from Kansas State University in Transportation Planning in August 1969.

During the summers between semesters at K-State Dean worked for the Kansas Highway Commission (KHC), the predecessor to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). Upon receiving his Bachelor’s Degree he was employed by the Planning and Development Department of the KHC. After Dean received his Master’s Degree, he returned to the Planning and Development Department in the Transportation Division. He later became the Assistant Department Head for Transportation Planning and later served as a special assistant to the Secretary of Transportation. Dean retired from KDOT in November 1994. After retirement he worked as a consultant and taught and did research part-time at Kansas State University.

Dean received his Engineer in Training Certificate in August 1963 and received his Professional Engineer’s license in November 1967. Throughout his career Dean was very active in various professional organizations, including National Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, Professional Engineers in Government, Kansas Engineering Society, Chi Epsilon (Civil Engineering Fraternity), and Topeka Engineering Society. He served in various leadership roles in these organizations.

Dean also was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), the Downtown Topeka Optimist Club, German American Club of Topeka, and Topeka Genealogical Society.

On September 2, 1962, Dean married Nancy Karlea Rohmeyer at Marysville, Kansas. To this union was born two children—Deborah Kay and Michael Dean.

Dean was a long-time member of Faith Lutheran Church where he served in many capacities, including President and President-elect, and serving on the Boards of Elders, Stewardship, and Evangelism, Adult Education Committee, and Sunday School Superintendent. Dean also took pictures of new members of Faith Lutheran for many years. Dean served on the Topeka Lutheran School Board and was a trustee for Topeka Lutheran School. Dean also served the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Kansas District on the Board of Evangelism, on the Saints Alive After 55 Committee, and as the archivist.

Family was always very important to Dean. He and Karlea attended Deborah’s and Michael’s activities throughout their youth and Dean coached both softball and t-ball and was a Webelos leader. Retirement afforded them the time to attend their grandchildren’s activities throughout northeast Kansas. In retirement, Dean and Karlea enjoyed sharing the hobby of genealogy and took several trips to research their ancestors and visit relatives. They also went to Germany twice to tour the land where Martin Luther was prominent.

Dean is survived by his wife, Karlea, of the home; daughter Deborah (Tony) Glaum; son Michael (Melinda) Landman; grandchildren Jessica (Jacob) Ellis, Kelly (Manuel) Erb, Jennifer (Joseph) Clark, Joshua Landman, and Jacob Glaum. Also surviving are great-grandchildren Colton Armstrong, Joellen and Gunner Ellis, Ryder and Roselen Erb, and Jack Clark as well as brothers-in-law Stan Snyder and Graydon (Brenda) Rohmeyer and sister-in-law Karen (Myron) Ackerman. Also surviving are four nieces and one nephew.

Dean was predeceased by his parents and sister, LaNeta Snyder.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, November 21 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church with family visitation one hour before services. Inurnment will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Church or the People’s Heartland Foundation which oversees the site and preservation of the cabin where the Kansas State song “Home on the Range” was written.

The family wants to thank the staff at Topeka Presbyterian Manor and Midland Hospice for the excellent care Dean received throughout the last couple of years.