Posted on 01/27/2018
Captain Herbert J. Dean, USN (Ret.) (October 17, 1927 - January 12, 2018)
Captain Herbert J. Dean, U.S.N. (Ret.), died peacefully on January 12, 2018 in San Diego, California; he was 90 years old. Born in 1927 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, he joined the Navy on his 17th birthday in 1944 during WWII. He was sent to the Pacific Theater as a radio operator where he served until after the liberation of the Philippines in 1946. Returning to duties stateside, he received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. He entered the Academy in 1950 at age 23, with 6 years enlisted service. The day after graduating in June 1954, Herb married his high school sweetheart, Mary Theresa Corey ("May"). The couple's first posting was to San Diego, California, where they would eventually retire. Herb's sea tours included Executive Officer of USS Jenkins (DD447), and Commanding Officer of USS Forster (DER 334) and USS Dennis J. Buckley (DD 808). His shore tours included the Bureau of Naval Personnel, staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Training Officer, Fleet Training Group, San Diego. Herb received a Master of Science degree in International Affairs from The George Washington University, and also graduated from the College of Command and Staff and the College of Naval Warfare of the Naval War College, Newport, RI. Prior to his last assignment as Professor of Naval Science at the University of Utah, Herb served as Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander, Naval Surface Group Western Pacific and Commander Task Force Seventy Three. His naval career spanned 38 years: 6 years enlisted service, 4 years Naval Academy, and 28 years as a Commissioned Officer. He received many medals including the Bronze Star with Valor and two Meritorious Service Medals. After retiring from the Navy, Herb was an active volunteer with May at Our Lady of Grace parish which they attended for over 40 years. Herb's beloved wife preceded him in death on October 18, 2015. He is survived by his son Herb, Jr., his daughter Mary and six grandchildren (Joseph, Tyler, and Nicholas Dean and Corey, Mary and Katherine Hall). An Honor Guard burial will be held at Miramar Cemetery on February 1st at 11:30 am. A Mass celebrating his life will be held at the Chapel of the Nazareth House in San Diego, 6333 Rancho Mission Rd., San Diego, on February 2nd at 9:30 am with a reception following.
Published in The San Diego Union Tribune on Jan. 25, 2018