Dr. Cameron Dean

Dr. Cameron Dean, 42, of Springfield, died at 7:25 a.m., Thursday, September 1, 2005 at his residence. Dr. Dean was born on May 25, 1963 in Columbus, OH the son of Bobby Harry and Gaynell Ann Laforce Dean. He married Renee Brewer on July 19, 2003 in Springfield. Dr. Dean received his Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from Mt. Vernon Nazarene College in Mt. Vernon, OH in 1985. In 1988 he earned his Masters of Science, Podiatric Medicine from Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, OH, 1993 earned his Master in Clinical Psychology, Graduate School of Psychology Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA and in 1999 Psy.D in Clinical Psychology, Graduate School of Psychology – APA approved Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena California. In 2004 he became a Licensed Psychologist in Illinois. He was employed as a Psychologist at the Living Hope Counseling Center where he provided clinical services to couples and individuals at a non-for-profit counseling center on a part-time basis. He also worked at the University of Illinois at Springfield in the Counseling Center from 2000 until the time of his death. He provided individual and couple therapy, outreach presentations, titles including: Stress Management, Assertiveness Training, Time Management, Appreciating Similarities, Making Friends, Transitions and Increasing self-awareness via Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. He served as a liaison to the Global Diversity organization. He provided crisis intervention to students and clinically supervised Masters Level Human Development Counseling Students for practicum or internship. Dr. Dean also participated in the Substance Abuse Task Force (SATF) and the American Disabilities Act Task Force (ADATF). He did his Doctoral Internship at the Career Planning and Counseling Center (CPCC) at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. He did his Pre-Doctoral Clinical Practicum at the Counseling and Testing Center in Orlando, FL, and Fuller Psychological and Family Services, at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. Dr. Dean did his Master’s Clinical Practicum at the Center for Aging Resources (CFAR), in Pasadena, CA. Even though Dr. Dean was faced with many obstacles in his life, like losing his vision in 1988, he always looked forward to everyday. Cameron lived his life to his fullest capacity and was able to overcome many challenges that he was up against. With Zach, his guide dog by his side he was able to do things some would never dream – he became involved in Bowhunting, where he hunted bear and turkey. He was able to golf and had a great swing. Dr. Dean always put others above himself and he believed he was here to serve others, which he did with grace. While his journey seemed all too short he gave his all and accomplished much. He was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his wife: Renee of Springfield; guide dog: Zach and pet Annie; mother: Gaynell Campbell of Columbus, OH; three sisters: Teresa Burchwell of Grove City, Ronda (husband, Greg) Leach of Mt. Sterling, OH, Missy (husband, Matt) Cochenour of Columbus, OH; mother and father-in-law: Joe and Sylvia Brewer of Springfield and many nieces and nephews. Cremation will be accorded. Memorial services will be at 12:00 Noon Tuesday, September 6, 2005 at Hope Evangelical Free Church 3000 Lenhart Rd., Springfield, with Rev. Blake Carter officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America Inc., 2152 Route 981, New Alexandria PA 15670 or Lions of Illinois Foundation, 1515 N. Harlem Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 or Leader Dogs for the Blind, 1039 S. Rochester, Rochester, MI 48307. The family of Dr. Cameron Dean is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.