Dean Eldon Lidgard passed away peacefully in his home in Grass Lake, Michigan on August 11, 2020. Dean was born on July 25, 1933, in Milan, Michigan the son of Orville and Doris (Olds) Lidgard. He Married Ruth Stringer, his beloved wife, on May 21, 1960.
He attended Milan high school, graduating in 1951.
He earned his bachelor’s degree and a secondary-education teaching certificate at Michigan State University and was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and the Air Force ROTC.
After serving his commitment with the Air Force in Europe and discharged as Captain, he returned to Michigan and earned his master’s degree in special education administration at Eastern Michigan University.
Dean began his 30-year professional career with the University of Michigan hospital as a special education teacher in the children’s hospital school. He was promoted to school director, and later promoted to assistant administrator of Mott Children’s Hospital.
While administrator, Dean was a member and leader of numerous organizations for disabled children including president of the Michigan Easter Seal Society, National President for the association for the Care of Children in Hospitals. He lectured at the UofM School of Education, organized the original Mott Children’s Golf Classic, which is still held today, and was closely involved with the areas’ Kiwanis clubs.
During his entire career Dean’s focus was on the betterment of sick children and their families at Mott Children’s hospital. He introduced the Child Life program and brought the Ronald McDonald House to Ann Arbor.
After retiring from the UofM Hospital, Dean was the first executive director of the Ann Arbor Ronald McDonald house for 5 years; volunteered and was president of the board of director’s for the Friends of the UofM Health System which operates the hospital’s gift shops.
After retirement, he enjoyed lake life, his friends, reading, gardening and his grandchildren’s lives.
Besides his parents, Dean was preceded in death by Doris (O’Loane) Stringer, Lyle Stringer, and Francis (Gandy) Lidgard.
Dean is survived by his wife, Ruth of 60 years, his children Todd (Patsy) of Ann Arbor, Roger of Ypsilanti, and Wendy (Stephen) Kubacki of Ann Arbor. His grandchildren include; Jonathan (Maggie) Lidgard of Plymouth; Michael (Staci) Ross of Ypsilanti, Stephen (Jennifer) Lidgard of Dexter, his new great-grand-daughter Emerson Lidgard of Dexter and his brother Terry of Alabama. His nieces and nephews include; Lynn Hauptli of Kalamazoo, Karen Vines and Allen Lidgard of Alabama, Kristi Mineo of Florida.
A private family service will be held at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor, or the Child Life department of Mott Children’s Hospital.
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