Jeffrey Stuart Dean

Jeffrey Stuart Dean passed away peacefully on December 16, 2013. He will be remembered as a teacher, attorney, businessman, Navy Veteran, husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Jeff was born in Rochester, New York to Canadian parents Lorna and Stuart Dean. He grew up and was educated in his hometown, graduating from the University of Rochester with a degree in economics. There he met his future wife, Kristen, as a result of the U of R’s policy to encourage geographical distribution of its student body. After graduation he joined the Navy and was stationed on the West Coast, deploying to Vietnam and the Pacific theatre on several tours of duty. After marrying his college sweetheart, the Navy moved them to New York, where he taught at the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. It was at the Merchant Marine Academy that he began his life long love of teaching . While teaching at Kings Point he also pursued his MBA at New York University in the evenings. After completing his MBA, Jeff decided to return to the West Coast to settle permanently. He and Kristen arrived in Seattle in the Fall of 1978. The late 70s and early 80s were a busy time for Jeff both professionally and personally. After settling in Seattle , Jeff landed a job as an Assistant Vice President at Continental, Inc, a mortgage company that eventually became Homestreet Bank,. Continuing his commitment to serving his country, Jeff also entered the Naval reserve, devoting one weekend a month and 2 weeks every year to the Navy. And, while working full time and raising a family, Jeff began night school at the University of Puget Sound law school (now Seattle University).. Jeff graduated from UPS law school and was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 1987. He worked for several years as in house counsel for University Savings Bank. Jeff left the bank in 1992, and entered private practice, specializing in property law . As a solo practitioner, Jeff sought to take care of the “under dog:” those who needed sound legal advice, but who did not necessarily have significant financial means. Over the years he took many cases pro bono, and developed a loyal client base. Throughout his solo career, Jeff practiced law by day and taught at night. In 1996, Jeff began teaching at the University of Washington in Tacoma. Over the years, he taught many different courses in business and law to undergraduates and MBA students. His favorite course, however, was a course on small business development and entrepreneurship. He relished his role as both teacher and mentor, and through this class he helped many students launch their own businesses. As busy as his career kept him, Jeff always made time for his family: whether it was gathering everyone together for meals, or attending his children’s high school sporting events. This was especially true over the last several years, as he began to wind down his law practice. During this time, he took great pleasure in visiting his adult children in the exotic places they lived, and travelling around the world with his beloved wife. In April of 2013, Jeff suffered a severe stroke while at Kala Point on the Olympic Peninsula. After the stroke he spent 7 months at Harborview and at the Terraces at Skyline. He worked tirelessly to regain what was lost by the stroke. His efforts were rewarded and he returned home in time to spend Thanksgiving with his family. The inspiration for his recovery was his grandson, Ian, who he called his sidekick. Jeff will be remembered most for his sense of humor and his extensive pink flamingo collection. He is survived by his wife, Kristen; two children, Laurie and Kyle, son in law Peter Nelson; and grandson, Ian. A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at University Congregational, United Church of Christ, 4515 16th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105-4201 on Saturday February 1, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. A reception will be held following the service in the Grill Room at the Sand Point Country Club 8333 55th Ave N.E., Seattle, WA 98115. In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jeff’s Memory to one of the charities listed below: 1)University of Rochester Department of Economics Gift Fund, Gift and Donor Records, 300 East River Road, Box 270032, Rochester, NY 14627-0032 2 )Milgard School of Business Excellence Fund Attention: T Zander, University of Washington Tacoma, Box 358340, Tacoma, WA 98402 3) Medic One Foundation, Mail Stop #359747, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104-2420