Robert W. "Bob" Dean
Robert W. “Bob” Dean, 74 of Tipton received his wings at 6:49 p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2019 at I.U. Health North Hospital, Carmel. He was born in Frankfort, Indiana on January 8, 1945 to Gordon E. & Evelyn Joan (Davis) Dean. On August 22, 1987 he married Christi L. Rushton and she survives.
Bob lived the definition of firefighter and was a dedicated servant to his fellow man. He served in the U.S. Army for four years. He started his career in fire service as a firefighter in Frankfort. He then began a 39-year career in the office of the Indiana State Fire Marshal, first as an Investigator, then Deputy Chief of Investigations and finally Chief of Investigations for 11 years.
Bob was the founding Chief of Cicero Township Fire Department in Tipton, a position he held for 20 years. He was still a firefighter on the department at the time of his death. He had also served as a reserve deputy for the Tipton County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Marshall in Atlanta and worked security at Riverview Hospital in Noblesville and at Bonge’s Tavern in Perkinsville.
Bob belonged to the IAAI and the IVFA and was a former member of the Moose Lodge and the American Legion. He found time to pass on his knowledge of fire service to new firefighters. Bob also liked to spend time with his family, fish and cook.
Survivors along with his wife of 32 years Christi include his children Annette (Robert) Messert, Connecticut, April (Pat) Richards, Greensburg, Anthony (Carla) Dean, Greensburg, Amber (David) Bell, Goldsmith; two grandchildren Bob & Christi raised, Dustin (Emily) Heaton and Noelle Heaton all of Tipton; one sister, Nancy (Carl) Bowman, Noblesville; brother and sisters-in-law, Brian K. (Tina) Harper, Sharpsville, Cathy A. (Jerry) Highley, Yorktown, Robert (Kathy) Off, Tipton, Sheila Off , Kokomo, and Jane Thomas, Kokomo.
Bob is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Lauren, Blake, Keragan, Ava, Jenna, Cody, Connor, Hunter, Dustin, Noelle, Cody, JJ, Hannah, and Raylynn and 3 great-grandchildren, Eden, Wyatt, and Harper. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law and one grandchild.
Funeral services for Bob will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5 at Rock Prairie Church, 421 Ash Street, Tipton, with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery with military and fire service honors. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday and from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday, all at the church. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is assisting the family with Bob’s funeral arrangements.
Memorial contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to Fund the Funeral to help the family with funeral and medical expenses.
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Last night the fire service lost my first mentor and fire chief in my fire service journey. Bob was truly one of the wisest big hearted people I knew. He was there to praise you when you did great and also there to correct you and teach you when you needed it. The first lesson Bob taught me, and still one of the most important, “Leave the fire service better than when you found it. Respect this profession and remember no matter if you’re volunteer, industrial, career or whatever… we are all family and in the fireground we have each others back no matter what!” Well sir, you definitely accomplished that mission. Rest easy, see you on the other side and don’t forget to have a deck of cards ready for when the rest of us see you again. We already miss you and love you……….
Troy Clements
Rest easy Chief. I credit you to the knowledge I gained in the fire service that helped lead me into the person I am today and the career I have today. Your brothers and sisters will take it from here. Fly high, my friend. Show ‘em how it’s done up there. 🇺🇸
I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family 🙏🙏
Bob was a terrific guy I’m sorry he went so young.
Mr. Bob, you will be missed. We will never forget you. Rest easy Chief.
Our Deepest Sympathy To The Family. God Bless You All.
So very sorry for your loss Mr Dean was a very nice man
Dear Family
So very sorry for your loss. Bob was a great class mate. Know you will miss him lots. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. When we lived in Frankfort, we went to church with Bob’s Mother Joan. God Bless. Ron & Erilda (Chanadams – Class of 1963) Coleman
A good classmate at FSHS. My condolences go out to your family.
My condolences to the family. Bob was a friend in school and a neighbor a few years when he lived in Frankfort.
Steve Frey Class mate 1963
To The Dean Family I offer my most sincere condolences for one of The greatest Fire Investigator of all times Mr. Robert W. Dean. I have worked with Robert AKA Bob many years.
Bob had a unique quality of always finding the best in everyone one he met, To The Fire Service Bob’s Legacy will always be A matter of fact.
Bob’s personal touch to his craft and his search placed him as a front runner in his field of Fire Safety.
I will truly miss his laugh because whenever he took the time to laugh it was funny.
Rest In Peace My dear friend Thank you for your Service To your Family To your Country to Your State to your Community it is surly better than you found it.
We are so sorry. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Christi & Family,
I always smile when I think of Bob. He was always teasing and loving life. We’ve had many fun times in comradely through fire fellowship throughout the years. May God wrap his arms around you Christi for strength to get through the days ahead without your life’s partner. I know you will give Bob a fine send off. I will be praying for your family. – much love, Angela Hogwood
A good friend during high school years. My condolences to the family.
Jim Eldridge FSHS Cass of ’63
Bob, you meant a lot to me and Casey. You gave good advice on a daily basis, you cared about the people in your community, you were a good family man, you are a true Hero to everyone that was blessed to know you. . You will be missed by all God speed Chief.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if we can do anything.
CHRISTI MY THOUGHIS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY . I WILL TRULY MISS HIM .
Bob,
You took me under your wing and taught me so much about the fire service. Thank you for all you did for me. You were the heart and soul of the fire department. Thank you for all you did for the community and for everyone you mentored along the way. Good Speed Chief.
So sorry for the families loss, Bob was a great man, and loved his family and job. It wasn’t a job to him, it was his life.
Prayers to his family. RIP Bob.
Sorry for your loss! Prayers be with you!
I love you grandpa now your resting easy in heaven Rest in Peace