Albert Lin Dean

Albert Lin Dean, most recently a resident of the Bethany area of Washington County, previously a long-term resident of Gresham and Springdale, OR, lost his short, yet brave fight with Pancreatic Cancer on November 3rd, 2019. He was born Albert Lin Avansino on October 12, 1940 to Albert and Lilian Avansino (nee Roblin) in Reno, NV. He was known as “Al” to his friends/co-workers or “Lin” to his family. The young family made their first home in Virginia City, NV, which held a certain fondness for Lin throughout his life.

Albert later moved Lin and Lillian to Portland, OR so they could be near her parents while he served in the Pacific Theater as a member of the US Army. Lin attended Abernathy Grade School and his parents divorced at the end of the war.

In 1947, Lillian married Virgil Dean, who raised Lin as one of his own, although Albert remained involved in his life. Lillian and Virgil then gave Lin two younger siblings to torment. Lin went on to attend Lents Grade School and graduated from Franklin High School, where his main interest was music. He played in various school bands as a drummer, as well as the drummer in the “Pacific Playboys” who cut a record named “Let’s Rock” that was played on the local airwaves.

Thinking the life of a musician would not provide a secure future, Lin enlisted in the United State Marine Corps in 1958. The majority of his time was spent guarding secure facilities, including a tour in Hawaii, and he was discharged in 1962 as a Lance Corporal.

Lin subsequently joined the Oakland, CA Police Department where he served two years and in 1963, married Sharon Diane Ashford. Together they had three children, Laura, Patrick, and Jennifer (who passed away at birth). They divorced after nine years of marriage.

In 1966, Lin joined the Portland (OR) Police Bureau (PPB). Lin served as member of the Portland Police Association (PPA), helping to negotiate the PPA’s first contract with the city and later served as a member of the Portland Police Commanding Officers Association. Lin served as a patrol and traffic officer, later becoming a supervisor in records, detectives, internal affairs, traffic as well as SERT. He received the “Police Officer of the Month” award from the Uptown Kiwanis, in part for his volunteer work for the Royal Lancers Drum & Bungle Corps. As a young Sergeant, Lin helped to establish a driving training program for PPB in consultation with the California Highway Patrol. However, his greatest accomplishments were as a supervisor in the criminal intelligence division, where he forged information sharing relationships locally, nationally and internationally, as he understood criminals do not respect jurisdictional boundaries. He retired as a Lieutenant in 1991.

In 1972, Lin married Jamie Nell Green in Virginia City, NV and they enjoyed nearly 30 years together, which included fond memories of traveling the United States and internationally.

Lin also joined the US Coast Guard Reserve in 1976. He was called to active duty several times, to include supporting the Muriel Boatlift as well as the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, CA. He retired in 1991 as an Investigator 1st Class in the Coast Guard Investigative Service and was a plank-holder for the Coast Guard Investigator Association.

In 1994, Lin received a Public Service Award from the Gresham Police Department for assisting their criminal intelligence program. In this same year he joined the Criminal Justice Division of the Oregon Department of Justice as Coordinator for the Western States Information Network. He retired for good in 1996 to help care for Jamie as her health failed. She passed away in 2001.

After Jamie’s passing Lin began traveling the world with Iris Venable, a long-term friend of the family. Iris remained his companion to the end.

Lin is survived by his companion Iris Venable of Portland, OR; his brother, William (Claudia) Dean of Nampa, ID; his sister, Leslie (Jim) Bechtel of Kalama, WA; his daughter, Laura (Robert) Avansino-Young of Ocean Park, WA; his son, Patrick (Brenda) Dean of Scappoose, OR; Jamie’s son Gary (Patty) Green of Troutdale, OR; Jamie’s son Terry Green of Helper, UT; Iris’s daughter, Shelly Druce of Oxnard, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Lin’s family wished to acknowledge the excellent care he received from Dr. Ey and the staff at OHSU Knight cancer Institute, Laurel Parc at Bethany Village, and Brighton Hospice.

Lin’s family request that in lieu of flowers, remembrance donations be made the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, the Portland Police Highland Guard or the Portland Police Bureau’s Sunshine Division.