With both sadness and joy, I share the news that my father-in-law, Dr. John Mark Dean, passed away yesterday. He was in hospice care at home surrounded by loved ones. Sadness for having to say goodbye to a deeply loving father. Joy comes from knowing that he was ready to move on and was surrounded by love.

Scott and I were able to visit two weekends ago. John was in a positive state of mind and said repeatedly, “I am so fortunate.”

We are planning a memorial event for some weeks in the future. It will take place in the Dean’s retirement home of Laurel Crest in Columbia, SC.

John, a professor and marine biologist with the Baruch Institute, was a popular teacher at University of South Carolina where he influenced and inspired many students to combine the science of our coast with whatever major one had – English lit, Political Science, Law, or other majors, as well as inspiring generations of graduate students in the sciences.  He has an extraordinary list of former students who combined coastal and ocean sciences with their careers in national and state policy, academic and business positions.  Their home hosted numerous graduate students, international students, visiting musicians, and other visitors from every corner of the globe and as well as from this country.  He left a wonderful legacy in his wake.

 In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a contribution to the South Carolina Environmental Law Project (scelp.org), the Alzheimer’s Association (donorservices.alz.org), or the Laurel Crest community (https://www.laurel-crest.c/donate).

If you would like to send a card, please email me for the mailing address: orangesophie AT gmail DOT com.