David Allen Dean

David Allen Dean passed away Friday, April 28, 2023 at age 92.  He was born in Scandinavia, Wisconsin to Rexford and Selma Dean.  He graduated from Scandinavia High School Class of 1948.  He attended Luther College for two years.  Dave then enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he was a photographer with top security clearance, and his four years included a tour of duty in Greenland.  He graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Journalism, Class of 1957. 

Dave was married to Audrey Dean for over 60 years. They lived in Kaukauna and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In December 1964, they moved to Kaduna, Nigeria, where the family spent four years through Dave's role as business manager for a University of Wisconsin teacher training project.

Upon returning to Madison in the summer of 1968, the family made this their forever home.  They were members of Covenant Presbyterian Church, where Dave sang in the choir.  Dave had been recruited to become an Assistant Dean in the College of Letters and Science at UW-Madison.  He was instrumental in bringing their department into the computer age. 

Upon his retirement in 1993, Dave remained as active as ever.  He continued the family tradition of reading mystery novels.  He had a passion for Dean family history, researching genealogy, and held offices in the Wisconsin Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.  He was also our family’s consultant for any computer or technical task.   He and Audrey loved to travel, visiting their daughters at their homes in Virginia and California, as well as many other places.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey Dean, parents Rexford and Selma Dean, sister Anna Mae Mossler, brother Robert Dean, daughter Nancy Dean and grandson Jordan Lepgold.

Dave is survived by his daughter Roxanne Dean, brother Carroll (Pearl) Dean, grandson Chris (Nicole) Kline, granddaughter Meghan (Michael) Huss, six great-grandsons, one great-great-granddaughter, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 326 S. Segoe Road, Madison, Wisconsin at 12:00pm on Saturday, June 10, 2023. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service. A lunch reception will follow at the church.

There are no words for the team of medical providers who have cared for Dave, supporting him and his family with patience and kindness.  The family is grateful to the staff at Agrace Adult Day Center and Age at Home, as well as Heartland Hospice. The family would especially like to thank Linda (Caitlin Taylor) for the care and companionship she has provided to Dave, making it possible for him to remain at home in his final years.

Memorials may be made in David’s name to the following:  UW-Madison Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, https://www.adrc.wisc.edu/give, Agrace, www.agrace.org/donate and Covenant Presbyterian Church, www.covenantmadison.org.