Dean was born to Dr. Gerald and Thelma Baker on November 17, 1926. He attended Peoria, IL, public schools, and upon graduation from Peoria High School in 1944, Dean enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he was trained as a hospital corpsman and was promoted through the ranks to Pharmacist Mate 3/C at the Seattle Navy Hospital. In 1945, he received training as a Dental Technician and served at the Astoria Regional Navy Hospital. Upon discharge in 1946, Dean attended Bradley University and enrolled in pre-dental, and in 1948 enrolled at Northwestern University Dental School. In 1950, he was united in marriage to Mary Lona Davis, of Crawfordsville, IA. Upon graduation from Northwestern in 1952, they moved to Marshalltown, IA, and set up a solo dental practice. In 1957, he and Dr. Bob Warrington built their offices at 101 N. 1st St., where he practiced until retirement in 1988.

Dean was active in numerous professional pursuits. He was three times the president of the Marshall County Dental Society and serviced as the President of the Waterloo District Dental Association. In the Iowa Dental Association, he served as Vice Chairman of the 1985 annual meeting, Chairman of the 1986 annual meeting and also as Chairman of the Iowa Dental Association Political Action Committee. He served as a Preceptor Instructor for the University of Iowa Dental School and was a Certification Examiner for the IDAA of Iowa.

Dean was also active in many community activities serving on the boards of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Visiting Nurses Association, Boy Scouts of America, the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce, the Tuberculosis and Health Association. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and an Elder. He was a member of Rotary International and the American Legion Post 46.

Dean was an avid fisherman, bridge player and golfer. One of his greatest joys was corresponding and actively participating in the lives of his grandchildren and great grandchildren where he was affectionally referred to as ‘Papa Dean.’

Dean will be missed by his wife of 72 years, Mary; son Dr. Gerald (Linda) Baker, of Des Moines, IA, five grandchildren: David (Cammie) Brownson, Meredith (Peter) Estremo, Rebecca (David) Hodgson, Dr. Jennifer (Scott Schumaker) Baker and Stephanie Baker. Six great grandchildren; Dean and Ayla Brownson, Diana and Piece Estremo, Reece Schumaker and Asher Hodgson.

He was preceded in death by daughter, Diana Kay (Bill Brownson).

A memorial service will be held this summer at First Presbyterian Church in Marshalltown with burial to follow at the Cambrian Cemetery in Columbus Junction, IA. Anderson Funeral Homes of Marshalltown has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church and Care Initiative Hospice.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the care provided by Glenwood Place, Southridge Specialty Care, Care Initiative Hospice and the Ministerial Team at First Presbyterian Church.