Robert, “Bob”, was born in Richmond, Virginia on November 3, 1942 to Evelyn “Penny” Coin Deans and James Robert Deans Jr. He grew up on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina, when the island had 250 full time residents. He loved his idyllic childhood playing in the abundant woods and fishing in the creeks and rivers.
Bob graduated from Moultrie High School as valedictorian and attended Clemson University in Civil Engineering. He worked his way through college as the manager and drummer for the 21-piece Blue Note orchestra and played dances throughout the Carolinas and Georgia. He left school and returned home when his father was stricken with pancreatic cancer and then took over the family business of JR Deans Company. Bob successfully grew and ran that company for many years, sold his interest and then enjoyed success and appreciation as a business consultant. He took a keen interest in civic life and launched the Mazyck Wraggborough Neighborhood Association, and, on the state level, served as chair of Governor Richard Riley’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Council and was co-chair of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council.
After many bouts of cancer, Bob was cancer free for 14 years. He had many health challenges in the past 19 years and always maintained an optimistic and grateful attitude. He passed away on August 17, 2018 surrounded by the love and admiration of his family and many, many friends. The staff at the University of Utah Hospital, both in-patient and out-patient, deserve and receive our eternal gratitude and respect for their unstinting efforts to provide healing and, ultimately, comfort for this extraordinary man.
Bob is survived by his spouse, Jania Sommers, daughter Fiona Deans Halloran, son James Robert Deans III, his son-in-law Charles Halloran, and his beloved grandson Iain Halloran, along with dear friends in South Carolina, California and Utah as well as much-loved relatives in North Carolina and Virginia.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, Bob wanted you to make donations to the charity of your choice that serves children, giving them opportunities to be well fed and well educated. Celebrations of his life, complete with Dad jokes, will be held in Salt Lake City and in Charleston at a later time.
