Robert William Dean

Visitation will be Sunday, September 14, from 4-8 PM at Calvary Hill Funeral Home, 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 15, at St. Rita Catholic Church, 12521 Inwood Road, Dallas, with interment to follow.

Ambassador Dean was born in Hinsdale, Illinois. He attended Morton High School and the University of Chicago where he obtained a Master of Arts in International Relations. He was an exchange student to the University of São Paulo, Brazil, then served in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater. His career in the Foreign Service started in Germany after the war, but he specialized in Latin America, serving in Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Perú as Ambassador. In addition, he spent a number of years in Washington, D.C., heading various offices in the Department of State and on detail to the Department of Defense.

After completing one year as Diplomat-in-Residence at T.C.U., lecturing and teaching in honors courses on U.S.-Latin American Relations, Ambassador Dean retired from the Foreign Service in October, 1978, to become Director for International Programs of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. In 1980, he left the Chamber to become Vice President of an international trading company. In June, 1981, he established his own firm, International Consultants of Dallas. Bob Dean Was on boards of directors/advisors of: the Dallas Council on World Affairs; the Dallas Committee for Foreign Visitors; the National Council for Foreign Visitors in Washington, D.C.; the International Trade Association of D/FW; the International Museum of Cultures; the Pan-American Livestock Exhibition of the annual State Fair; and the Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation of Texas.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two siblings, his daughter Shelley, grandson David, son-in-law Jim, and daughter-in-law Dona. Bob is survived by his wife, Doris; son Jimmy; daughter Karen Opalek and son-in-law Bob Opalek; daughter Virginia W. Indelicato and son-in-law Richard Indelicato; granddaughter Jennifer Geddes, her husband Sean; granddaughter Patricia Godby, her husband Chris and son Will; granddaughter Susan Opalek and son Austin; and grandson Jim Walters.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to Alzheimer’s Research or to the North Dallas Shared Ministries.