Robert William Dean (Bob), devoted father, proud and loving grandfather, and great grandfather.

Robert William Dean (Bob), son of Harlan William Dean and Dorothy Francis Quinn, was born August 10, 1927, in Griswold, Iowa. He died on January 17, 2021, at his home in Griswold, surrounded by his family and friends. He had attained the age of 93 years, 5 months.

Bob grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was raised by his mother and grandmother. At the age of 17, he and his best friend hitchhiked to Griswold to re-connect with family.

Bob enlisted in the Army in 1945, toward the end of World War II. He and Joann McClusky married on November 22, 1949. They were subsequently stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, Fort Knox, and Fort Campbell, KY. In August of 1950, Bob was deployed to Korea during the war. Afterward, they were stationed at Fort Sheridan, IL, followed by Fort Leonard Wood MO. He earned his GED while in the military.

Together with Joann, they raised three children. Alan of Chicago, IL, Edwin of Griswold, IA, and Ann Dean-Hash of Springtown, TX.

Bob was devoted to his family, country, community, and church. He took great pride in being a Boy Scout Leader, helping to shape the lives of many young men.

In service to his community, Bob was a founding member of the Griswold Volunteer Ambulance Service. He was one of the first to complete the Emergency Medical Technician Certification in Southwest Iowa and served in this capacity for over twenty years. Bob volunteered at blood drives and donated more than 100 units of blood.

Bob loved high school sports, especially football and wrestling, and was named Wrestling Fan of the Year for his avid support.

Bob held many jobs in his lifetime including working in the City of Griswold, Cass County, and Steinbeck and Sons.

Bob was an adventurous sort and loved to travel with Joann to Colorado, Texas, and several Caribbean Islands where he enjoyed scuba diving and meeting the locals.

There was no bigger Cubs fan than Bob. He enjoyed traveling to Wrigley Field and Arizona for spring training. Watching the Cubs win the World Series was a highlight for him.

Bob was a 74-year member of American Legion Post 508. He was very involved and served as Post Commander and Legion Chaplain. Serving as a chaplain and providing spiritual counsel was one of the highest honors of his life.

His love of all things military included attending World War II and Korean War Honor Flights to Washington D.C.

Bob was an active member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Griswold and enjoyed doing the readings at Mass.

Bob's steadfast loyalty, common sense, and can-do attitude were legendary. All who knew him and called him a friend will miss Bob.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 66 years, Joann.

He is survived by his special friend, Louise Davis; friend Linda Taulborg Brabbs; brother Phil Dean (Donna) of Hugo, MN; sister Suze Hutchinson of Dublin, OH; his children: Alan Dean and wife Joanne, Edwin Dean and fiancée Amie Kester and son Tyler, Ann Dean-Hash and husband Jackie; his grandchildren: Kristina and husband Richard Lingle, Atalissa, Alana, Richard, Brandon, Randy, and Kendall; and his great-grandchildren: Kayla, Dean, Aiden, Emily, Madison, Ethan, and Landry.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Griswold, Iowa in Bob's name.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Griswold.  Visitation with the  family will take place at the church one hour prior to the service.  An open visitation will be held at the Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, from 9:00 AM until 7:00 PM.  The family will not be present at any specific time.  Interment will be in the Catholic Section at Pleasant Township Cemetery.  Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family with arrangements.