Obituary: James L. Dean - Class of 1934

STURGEON BAY - Dr. James Lea Dean, age 84, loving father of Barbara (George) Henke of Cornwall, New York, James (Lynn) Dean Jr. of Lake Forest, Illinois, Peter (Karen) Dean of Sterling Heights, Michigan, and Mary Dean of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, died at his home in Sturgeon Bay on Sunday, May 6, 2001. Dr. Deans father, Dr. Phillip James Dean was one of the founders of the Dean Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin. James Lea Dean was born on November 3, 1916 in Madison, the son of the late Dr. James Phillip and Maude Lea Dean. Dr. Dean, an outstanding high school athlete in Madison, attended Annapolis Naval Academy and the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. In 1943, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin Medical School. From 1943 until 1947 he served aboard the destroyer S.S. Rooks as a lieutenant in the medical corps of the U.S. Navy. Dr. Dean practiced obstetrics and gynecology at the Dean Medical Center from 1947 until 1978; was chairman of the OB-GYN Department at St. Marys Hospital Medical Center in Madison; was a clinical instructor at the University of Wisconsin Medical School from 1956 until 1978; and was a founding fellow and life member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. After retiring from the Dean Medical Center in 1978, Dr. Dean and his wife, Ruth relocated to Sturgeon Bay, where he continued to practice at the Door County Medical Center until 1982. He remained active in civic and charitable organizations and served on the Door County Memorial Hospital board of directors until his death. Survivors include his sister, Patricia Dean of Madison; his grandchidren, James L. Dean, Cece Dean, Scott Dean, John Henke, Chrissy Henke and Carolyn Dean; nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Margaret Auman of Sturgeon Bay. Dr. Dean was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruth Ubbelodhe; his first wife, Peggy Woodhead; his son. Michael; his sister Doris Keeley; and his brother, Dr. David Dean. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2001 at St. Peer and Paul Catholic Church in Institute, Wisconsin, with Father Anthony Birdsall and the Rev. Kenneth Boettcher officiating. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services on Saturday at the church, A reception following the service will be held at the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Dr. James Lea Dean's name for the Door County Memorial Hospital. Huehns Funeral Home of Sturgeon Bay is assisting the family with arrangements.

Originally published in The Capital Times on May 11, 2001.

Note: Graduation year is based on information in the Class of 1934's - 35th reunion booklet



Last Of Dean Clinic's Founding Family Dies
Wisconsin State Journal :: LOCAL/WISCONSIN :: B5
Thursday, May 10, 2001
State Journal staff

The last surviving Dr. Dean of the Dean Clinic family died Sunday atthe age of 84. Dr. James L. Dean died Sunday of cancer in Sturgeon Bay. Dean, the nephew of clinic founder Dr. Joseph Dean, practiced obstetricsand gynecology at the Madison clinic from 1947 to 1979."He was just a remarkable and pleasant gentleman to be around," said Dr.Conrad Andringa, a Dean Clinic pediatrician who started his career working with Dean.

Andringa said Dean helped draw patients to the clinic because of his ability to make them feel comfortable.

"He was this distinguished looking, tall, white-haired gentleman who just exuded confidence in people," Andringa said.

His practice at the clinic got so popular that he fled to Door County in1979 to start a new less hectic practice, Andringa said.

"Unfortunately, he got even busier," Andringa said.

A memorial service will be held May 19 in Sturgeon Bay.