Dean Brooks Barnhouse MD

Dr. Dean Brooks Barnhouse, Capt. MC USNR (Retired) was born on July 27, 1940 in Twin Falls, Idaho. The youngest child of Brooks and Maude Barnhouse, six-year-old Dean announced to his parents he wanted to become a doctor after recovering from polio and never wavered from his goal. He was an avid musician, playing the piano from a young age. He played trumpet for the high school band and was a member of a local dance band called the Stardusters. He loved spending time at his family’s cabin on the Snake River near Hagerman, Idaho where he spent time fishing, boating and waterskiing. Dean graduated in the top 10% of his class from Twin Falls High School in 1958. He attended The College of Idaho where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology with a Minor in Chemistry in 1962. Dean fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a doctor in 1966, earning his Doctor of Medicine from University of Oregon Medical School (now known as Oregon Health & Science University) in Portland, Oregon. While attending medical school, Dean enlisted in the US Navy. He was an officer in the US Navy on active duty during the Vietnam Conflict from 1966 to 1970, served two tours in Vietnam as the medical officer on the USS Maury and was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He left active duty with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Following his military discharge, Dean returned to Oregon where he began his career in emergency medicine, first at Bess Kaiser Hospital in Portland and then at Meridian Park Hospital in Tualatin where he became the Chief of the Emergency Department. In 1977, Dean was the first physician in Oregon to earn board certification in Emergency Medicine. Dean proudly returned to the US Navy, this time as a reservist where he served from 1984 to 1998. He reached the rank of Captain USNR. As his medical career progressed, Dean left the emergency department to become Chief of the Urgent Care Department at NW Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Hospital and then finishing his medical career as a physician in the Department of Occupational Medicine with NW Kaiser Permanente at Vancouver, Sunnyside, Rockwood, and Beaverton Clinics, retiring in 2000. As a doctor, he was known for his skills as a diagnostician and warm bedside manner. After retiring from medicine, Dean moved to Bend, Oregon but spent his winters in Surprise, Arizona.

Dean was a worldwide traveler, traveling to nearly every continent and dozens of countries throughout his life. His favorite country was Thailand for its natural beauty and food. He was a self-professed foodie, and especially loved Asian cuisines. An accomplished pianist, he played piano not only for personal enjoyment and relaxation, but also weddings, his church and as an accompanist for other musicians. His travel companion, his accomplice in life, his biggest support, his wife, Darlene, was by his side every step of the way for the past 25 years.

Dean passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on November 22, 2024 after a two year battle with cancer.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents Brooks and Maude Barnhouse and his sister, Joan Walton. He is survived by his wife, Darlene of Bend, Oregon, step-son Chris Grenier of Olympia, Washington, daughters from his previous marriage Cindy Melia (Mark) of Portland, Oregon and Amy Barnhouse of Klamath Falls, Oregon, granddaughters Nina Vane and Brooke Vane of Denton Texas and grandson Graham Vane of Denton, Texas.

A memorial service for Dean will be held Friday, November 29, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W Bell Rd, Surprise, AZ 85374.