By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mr. Dean

LOVELAND - For three months in the early 1970s, Robert C. Dean was the No. 2 guy at the FBI.

The Mariemont native served in Washington as acting associate director of the bureau from December 1972 until February 1973.

He put in a distinguished 23 years with the FBI, including a stint (1974-80) as special agent in charge and training officer for the Cincinnati division.

Mr. Dean, 65, a Marine veteran, died of pancreatic cancer at his Loveland home on Memorial Day.

"Belief in God, devotion to family, love of country and public service were not always popular notions during his lifetime," said his son Robert C. Dean Jr. of Landen. "But he was an example of these ideals in his everyday life."

Gail, his wife of 44 years, said: "He was loved as an administrator who looked upon himself as responsible for guiding his employees with a discipline that encouraged their growth, but with a loving friendship for them that would last a lifetime.

"His family saw this same guiding light kindled in love."

Mr. Dean graduated from Mariemont High School, where he was co-captain of the basketball team. He went on to Miami University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1960 and a master's in 1965, both in education.

He taught industrial arts and driver education at Oak Hills High School and was a Marine Corps private first class before joining the FBI in 1965.

After graduating from the FBI Academy, he received his first assignment as a general investigator in the Little Rock, Ark., office. Through the years Mr. Dean served at offices in Hot Springs, Ark.; Milwaukee and Madison, Wis.; and Richmond, Va.

His jobs included supervisor at the Milwaukee headquarters, assistant special agent in charge of the Richmond division, and liaison for academy graduates and various law enforcement agencies.

Mr. Dean retired in 1989. From 1991 to 1996 he was director of worldwide security for SC Johnson.

In addition to his wife and son, survivors include a daughter, Kimberly Meiser of Delhi Township; a brother, Graham Dean of Amelia; and seven grandchildren.

Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Friday at Jon Deitloff Funeral Centre, 4389 Spring Grove Ave., Winton Place. The funeral is 9 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials: Matthew 25 Ministries, 1425 Loveland-Madeira Road, Loveland, OH 45140.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com