Norman Murdock Dean

Norman Murdock Dean, loving husband, father, and granddad, passed away from an ongoing heart condition on June 27, 2022 in his home at the age of 102. He was a leading example of how to humbly live a life dedicated to family, friends, and service to the community.

Norm was born April 26, 1920 in Heber City, Utah to John Wilson and Reta Dean. He was the youngest of three brothers (Joe and John Dean). He grew up in Heber City and graduated from high school there in 1937 at the age of 17. While attending the University of Utah, Norm worked for the Utah Parks Service and the Grand Canyon Lodge, and thus began his long career of management and coaching those around him to success. In 1941, Norm graduated from the University of Utah, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, followed by graduate work at Cornell University. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Norm went to New York City and was commissioned in the Navy as a Lieutenant JG in 1941. While in the Navy, he attended the Harvard Graduate School of Business.

While at the University of Utah, Norm met Margaret Hibbs from Greeley, Colorado and they were married in 1941. They had four children: Norm (died as a child), Tom, Stacey and Gini. After 29 years of marriage, Margaret passed away from a brain aneurysm in 1970.

In 1971, Norm married Bonnie Brown in Greeley. He often extolled his good fortune of being able to find love again with a wonderful partner who shared his passion for business, community service, travel and most of all, dedication to family. They were married for 50 years and enjoyed many years of love and adventure. Their travels around the world were vast and included Siberia, Antarctica, Nepal, India, the Philippines, Tahiti, and throughout Europe and Asia. When asked about his favorite destination, without hesitation his answer was the Grand Tetons in Jackson, Wyoming.

Norm created and enjoyed a long career of business entrepreneurship. Norm and Margaret moved to Greeley in 1946 and Norm joined his father-in-law in Hibbs Men’s Clothing Store. Norm then started his lifelong passion for entrepreneurship and eventually bought and operated six clothing stores. He was invited to join the board of Weld County Bank in 1957, where he subsequently bought controlling interest in the bank and started his 28-year career in the banking industry. He sold Weld County Bank to United Banks of Colorado and joined their board, remaining as CEO and president of United Bank of Greeley. He served as board member and chairman of the Colorado Bankers Association and as a board member of the American Bankers Association. He was one of a small group who travelled state-wide and nationally to speak on behalf of the banking industry.

In 1968, while CEO/president of United Bank of Greeley, Norm oversaw the design and construction of an innovative bank building for Greeley and the State of Colorado. Today this round building serves as the Greeley City Hall.

In addition to his banking career and interests, Norm’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to develop and invest in other business interests in several industries, including fast food franchises, cattle feeding, long term care, energy, and medical equipment. Late in his career, he served as Chairman of the Board for Alaris Medical, a medical device company on the New York Stock Exchange, where he had the honor of ringing the bell.

Norm was the epitome of a community servant. After moving to Greeley, he didn’t hesitate to say yes when asked to participate in community service. His contributions included serving 6 years on the School Board, including as president; 15 years as a member of the Greeley Water and Sewer Board; board member for United Way of Weld County; board member and president of the Greeley Rotary Club and also the Greeley Chamber of Commerce; and service with First Congregational Church and many other Greeley organizations and committees.

His many years of service garnered him numerous well-deserved recognition and awards including the Sonny Mapelli Distinguished Citizen Award from the Long’s Peak Boy Scout Council in 2002; the United Way of Weld County Humanitarian Award in 2002; Co-Grand Marshal with Bonnie of the Greeley Stampede in 2012; the Lifetime Achievement Award for the Bravo Entrepreneur Awards in 2012; and the Greeley Chamber of Commerce Leann Anderson Community Care Award in 2018.

Norm was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, his first wife Margaret, and his son Norman.

He is survived by a large loving family: his wife of 50 years, Bonnie Dean; his children Tom Dean of New York City, Stacey Dean (Pam) of Corvallis, OR, and Gini Hickman (Kent) of Albuquerque, NM; his grandchildren Marni Kurtz (Greg), Lanie Griffin, Toby Beyer, Shannon Sinunu (Alex), Stacey Murdock Dean (Sandra), Jeremy Dean, Beck Hickman and Emily Hickman; his great-grandchildren Jordan Kurtz, Tom Kurtz, Wesley Griffin, Katherine Beyer, Amanda Beyer, Ethan Beyer, Wilson Sinunu, Maya Dean, and Clark Dean.

A memorial service for Norm will be held on Thursday, July 7, at 10 am at First Congregational Church in Greeley. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, Macy Chapel, 6521 W. 20th Street, Greeley, CO 80634.