Robert Murry Dean

Robert "Bob" M. Dean, Colonel, USAF, Ret., 93, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., passed away Aug. 25, 2014. Born April 24, 1921, in Murphysboro, Ill., to James Lester Dean and Irma Matthews Dean, Col. Dean was a career Air Force Officer, serving in the Army Air Corps. in WWII as a command pilot of B-25s. He served in the North African campaign, where he flew 57 missions and was shot down over Sicily on his 17th mission. He received many decorations including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart and Air Medal with silver oak leaf cluster. After the war he served in Germany, France, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. During his tour of duties at the Pentagon he also earned a master's degree from George Washington University. He retired from active duty in 1964.

After his retirement he completed a Degree of Divinity at Edinburgh University in Scotland and entered a second career in the ministry. He was the Pastor of the Central Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Beaufort, S.C. He was married shortly after WWII to Margaret "Toots" Calhoun of Columbia, S.C., until her passing in 1987. He moved in 2009 from Beaufort, S.C., to Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., to be close to and cared for by his family. During the final years of his life he was able to attend spring training games of his favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves, attend his grandson's wedding, and visit regularly with his family and great-grandson.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, James C. Dean and Sandra Kay Dean; sister and brother-in-law, Caroline and Perry Hoffman; brother and sister-in-law, David and Virginia Dean; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Chantal and Stephen Bevilacqua; great-grandson, Alexander James Bevilacqua; grandson and grand-daughter-in-law, Robert Matthew and Lindsay Dean; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, October 31 at 11:00 A.M. with full military honors. He had a full life of honor and distinction, providing dedicated and loving service to his Faith, Family and Country throughout his life and will be missed by all. May he rest in peace.

Arrangements under the direction of Aycock Funeral Home, Jupiter, FL.