Dr. Walter (Walt) Edward Dean

Dr. Walter (Walt) Edward Dean, aged 75, of Blue Springs, Missouri, passed away on March 8, 2024 after a battle with dementia. 

He was born on January 23, 1949, in Carlsbad, New Mexico to Walter Joseph Dean and Mary Eileen Deneen Dean. Four brothers soon followed (John, Mark, Mike, and Jim) and the family created many memories (and no doubt several gray hairs for their parents) as they moved from New Mexico, Michigan, and Colorado before settling in Salem, Missouri. 

Walt excelled in school, graduating valedictorian from Salem High School in 1967. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Drake University and attended the University of Iowa School of Medicine where he became a board-certified family practice physician. 

He met Elizabeth (Betty Ann) Nickel at the University of Iowa, and the two were married on December 30, 1973. Although they later divorced in 2009, they remained close friends up until his death. 

He completed his residency at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines before he and Betty Ann settled in Maryville, Missouri in 1978. This was where they raised their four children, Andy, Mary, Mark, and Julie. Walt was active in the First United Methodist Church, Optimist Club, and built a physician practice as part of St. Francis Health. In later years, he also worked for the MedClinic in St. Joseph, MO and Occupational Health Services in Kansas City before retiring in 2017. 

Walter was a dedicated fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, KC Mavericks Hockey, Kansas City Royals, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. He found joy in supporting his favorite sports teams. Thanks to the generosity of the staff at CedarHurst of Blue Springs, Walt was able to enjoy a Chiefs game this past September with his son, Andy. 

Among his many accomplishments, Walter was most proud of his role as a father and grandfather, cherishing every moment with his family.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Betty Ann Dean of Parkville, and his children: Walter Andrew "Andy" Dean of Lee's Summit, Mary (Daryl) Terwilleger of Kansas City, Mark (Jungeun) Dean of Lee's Summit, and Julie (Kevin) Cahill of Overland Park. He was a loving grandfather to Bennett Dean Terwilleger, Evelyn Rose Terwilleger, Jack Walter Cahill, Quinn Louise Cahill, Romy J Dean, and Joy Elizabeth Dean.

He is also survived by his brothers John (Jane) Dean of Cedar Rapids, IA, Father Mark Dean OMI of Belleville, IL, and Mike (Theresa) Dean of Lynden, WA. He was an uncle to Gabe Dean, Mitchell Dean, Mary Ann Dean, and Amy Farman. 

Walter was preceded in death by his younger brother James “Jimmy” Dean, his father, and his mother.

Walter enjoyed golfing, playing cards, reading, and sharing his humor and obscure trivia facts with others. He had a deep love for music, especially blues and harmonica tunes.

Services for Walter will be held at Woods Chapel Church in Lee's Summit on Friday, March 15^th. A visitation will be held from noon-1pm, with a service and reception to follow. We ask attendees to dress in bright colors to honor Walt’s love for the eccentric. 

Walt was a strong supporter to those dealing with addiction and was proudly sober for over 37 years. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Valley Hope Addiction Treatment & Recovery through their website or sent to P.O. Box 59, Norton, KS 67654.

The funeral arrangements are entrusted to Carson-Speaks Chapel in Independence, MO.