Paul Lawrence Dean, age 79, died Saturday, April 13, 2013 at St. Mary’s hospital with his family by his side. He was born March 31, 1934 to Matthew and Pauline (Lubic) Dean in Chicago, Illinois. Paul served in the US army from 1957 and until his honorable discharge in 1960. He had purchased land in Sugar Camp and built “Deans Resort” with a Bait Tackle and Gift shop. In 1960 he had met his wife of 51 years at the Rhinelander Cafe and Pub where Diane Klem was a waitress; they were married the following year. In 1961, Paul joined the Rhinelander Police department as a patrolman after completing his vocational training at the Department of Criminal Justice in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1976, he graduated from Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Bureau at the top of his class in death Investigation, which became one of his favorite areas of investigation. Time proved that his ability to solve these types of cases was far beyond that of most this field. He had received countless number of awards and citations from the city of Rhinelander for outstanding work in field. After retiring from the Police Department Paul became involved with politics serving on the Oneida County Board for thirteen years and he was actively serving on several committees until his death. Paul was always the type of person that one could count on whenever one was in need. He was active in supporting Tri County Council Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services; he had collected thousands of dollars over the years for them. Paul also made sure they had turkeys for every Thanksgiving. Whenever there was a personal or family tragedy anywhere in Oneida County he would always find a way to help them. He had raised funds for many families that have suffered the loss of their homes due to fire. Paul was also a small businessman with “Dean’s Signs”, he hand painted billboards to small hand held signs. He had also made wood rustic signs, magnet signs for vehicles and engraved trophies, watches and wedding rings. He later went on to learn the rare art of neon; he repaired and designed them. His work can be seen though out the city of Rhinelander and Oneida County, some of his work still can be seen at St. Mary’s hospital, Rhinelander Oneida Count Airport and even Rhinelander Cafe and Pub.
Paul had been a karate instructor for over 40 years. He started out learning judo and became a 2 Dan Sensei. He went on to start his first Judo school in Rhinelander; the school was located at the old high school where the Rhinelander Police Department is located. He then became interesting in Karate; he trained under Gosei Yamaguchi in Milwaukee, and achieving the rank of 3rd degree black belt. He had opened the first Karate studio in Northern Wisconsin, at the Rhinelander Memorial Building. Paul went on to open two more studios in the area to keep-up with the growing amount of members that were in the hundreds at one point.
He had given many Karate demonstrations at local schools. In 2007 Paul was given the “life time achievement” award along with two Samaria swords for his years of dedication. Many of his students are now Masters themselves. Paul has left a legacy that will long be remembered. He touched thousands of people’s lives. He will be missed by all. Thank you Paul for giving your best, now rest and wait upon the Lord.
Paul is survived by his wife, Diane, son, Brian of Rhinelander, daughters; Stacey Dean (Mark) Bonners Ferry, Idaho and Christy Myers of Pooler, Georgia, his grandchildren, Rachel Dean of Rhinelander, Ashley Dean of Fort Myers, FL and Joshua Dean of Pooler, GA and his first great granddaughter Sophia Dean.
A funeral Service was held at Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. All are invited to light a candle or leave an online condolence at hildebrandfh.com.
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