EDWARD DEHAN

1923 - 2020

Edward T. Dehan
Sept. 24, 1923 - Aug. 9, 2020

AUSTIN, TX
Col. Edward T. Dehan passed away peacefully in Austin, TX Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, a month short of his 97th birthday. A member of The Greatest Generation, he was born in Kensington, CT on Sept. 24, 1923, and will be remembered for his love of God, family, and country.
He is survived by Muriel, his wife of 48 years; and his children, Susan, Stephen (Alison), Christopher (Linda), Sheila (Abi) Fata, Michael (Kim), Denice (Dann) McDonald, Debra (Edwin) Tullos, Mark (Margot), Maria (Thomas) White, Elizabeth (Joseph) Leary, and Nancy (Douglas) Smith. He will also be remembered with great affection by his 39 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and large extended family. He was predeceased by his parents; five siblings; two children — Timothy and Robert; and two grandchildren; as well as his first wife, Flora, mother of nine of his children.
He served more than 26 years in active duty, first in the U.S. Army Air Corps during the Second World War, retiring with the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force in 1979. He was an alumnus of Boston University and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and earned his Post-Doctoral Master of Science degree from The Ohio State University in Prosthetic Dentistry. During his long military career, Col. Dehan held many notable positions, including Chief of the Department of Dentistry at the School of Health Care Sciences at Sheppard AFB, TX and Command Dental Surgeon for the Office of the Surgeon General, HQ USAFE. Among other awards, he was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Legion of Merit. After retiring from the Air Force, he was appointed Assistant Dean and Director of Clinics at The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry.
Col. Dehan also served his community. He was an Officer in the Oklahoma City Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, serving with his wife, Muriel, and his son, Timothy. He mentored children in inner city schools and taught English, American History, and Civics to candidates preparing for United States citizenship. He enjoyed traveling and brought his family to numerous countries throughout Europe while he was stationed in Germany. A musician at heart, he enjoyed classical music and opera, as well as singing in choirs and participating in musical theatre. He was a devout Catholic, who embodied the qualities of humility, integrity and commitment.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14 at St. Louis King of France Catholic Church in Austin, TX.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Catholic Relief Services or to Wounded Warriors.