Orville Dean Call ’49

Dean died at home April 20, 2024, two months after celebrating his 100th birthday.

In high school, Dean belonged to ROTC and the glee and radio clubs. After graduation, he worked as a telegrapher for the Union Pacific Railroad and enlisted in the Navy in July 1943. After completing advanced training in radio, he served as an electronics technician at the Naval Submarine Base in New London, Conn. Dean met his wife, Phyllis, at a USO dance, where she volunteered as a hostess and taught him to jitterbug. They were married Oct. 22, 1945, in Groton, Conn. 

After Princeton, Dean earned a master’s degree in psychology from Columbia. He was part of the V-12 Officer Training Program. After the war, Dean worked for the Utah State Employment Service and the U.S. Department of Labor as a manpower development specialist, focusing on vocational guidance counseling. 

Dean combined a love of classical music with a fun-loving nature and quirky sense of humor. Dean and Phyllis were very active — they loved bicycling, kayaking, and square dancing. Dean and Phyllis took many trips together, often with friends, including trips to Canada, England, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and the Holy Land.

Dean’s children describe him as kind and gentle, always helping and treating others with respect. He lived his life with faith in Jesus Christ, love of family and service to his Church and community through many volunteer activities. 

Dean was predeceased by his sister Shirley Gardner in 2023. He is survived by his wife of 78 years, Phyllis; four children; eight grandchildren; and 13 greatgrandchildren.