Robert "Bobby" Dean, 69, of Las Vegas, passed away April 23, 2014. Born in Wichita Falls, Texas, his family moved to Las Vegas when he was nine years old. At 17, Bobby enlisted friends to help recover an abandoned Stearman biplane from a wreck in the Spring Mountains. Bobby later became a flight instructor and certified mechanic, which lead to him joining the U.S. Air Force. Bobby served as a crew chief in Takhli, Thailand during the Vietnam War in 1968. After four years of service, he returned to Las Vegas and a career in gaming. In 1976, while working as a Keno writer at the Hacienda, he met his wife-to-be, JoAnne. In 1978, he began his 36 years managing Keno and later the Bingo game at Palace Station. Bobby was preceded in death by his son, Joseph. He is survived by his wife, of 38 years, Joanne; daughters, Katherine Abajian and Megan Dean; and grandsons, Kane and Blake Abajian. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, at Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St., Las Vegas. To best honor Bobby's memory, donations can be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements under the direction of Palm Downtown Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.
