Robert Deans

Our family is sad to announce the death of Boston native Dr. Robert H, "Bob" Deans on December 5, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. His death was related to complications with Alzheimer's Disease. Dr. Deans most recently resided in New Albany, OH with his wife Janet.

Dr. Deans was born an only child to Robert and Margaret Deans on May 28, 1931 in Dorchester, MA. After attending Boston English High School and Worcester Academy, he enrolled in The University of Massachusetts on a full athletic scholarship for track and field. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a second lieutenant. He spent 2 years in active duty as a navigator/bombardier in SAC at the tail end of the Korean War. He remained in the reserves for an additional 10 years and was honorably discharged in 1968 as a Captain with his final 8 years spent as an intelligence officer under Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. He obtained his PhD in Economics at the University of Pittsburgh, and went on to work in the State Department in Washington DC where he met his wife Janet. Two years after having their first child, Robert Joseph Deans, they moved to Philadelphia where Dr. Deans taught international finance at Temple University and later became the Associate Dean of the School of Business. Bob and Janet's second child, Katherine J. Deans was born in 1972. The family settled in Philadelphia until 1989 when Dr. Deans became the Dean of the Business School at California State University Long Beach. (Dean Deans!) He retired from higher education in 2000.

After retirement, he kept busy playing tennis, playing the stock market, and playing with his three grandchildren, Robert W. Deans, Peter M. Minneci, and Sarah J. Minneci. He served on the board of several metropolitan opera companies and local charities. His most joyous moment was in 2004 when the Boston Red Sox finally, after decades of futility, beat the NY Yankees in the playoffs and went on to win the World Series (Go Sox!)

Dr. Deans is survived by his wife Janet, children Robert Deans (Andrea Portavecchia) of Virginia and Katherine Deans (Peter Minneci) of New Albany Ohio, grandchildren Robert William Deans, Peter Matthew Minneci, and Sarah Janet Minneci.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on December 10, 2019 at The Church of the Resurrection located at 6300 East Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany, Ohio 43054 with burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery located at 9571 High Street, Lewis Center, OH 43035. A one hour visitation period will be held at The Church of the Resurrection in New Albany preceding the funeral service.

The family asks that donations be made in lieu of flowers to one of the following charities, St Charles Preparatory School 2010 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43209 (In memo of check, please write: The Robert H. Deans Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund) OR St. Vincent de Paul 1614 Oakland Park Ave, Columbus, OH 43224.