Robert Klein Dean

Robert Klein Dean

June 10, 1955 – April 19, 2023

Robert Klein Dean, age 67, passed away unexpectedly April 19, 2023 at home in Indianapolis, Indiana.  He was born June 10, 1955 to Ross Hume and Elizabeth Klein Dean in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

A loving and devoted husband, father, and faith-driven volunteer and friend, he embraced family, serving others, and his church communities above all else.

A renewed work connection led Rob to the love of his life, Marnie.  Their dedication to their families and the new one they cherished together were heartwarming and inspirational to all those around them.  Along the way in the family, Rob became known affectionately as “Robby.”

Rob graduated from Whitefish Bay (WI) High School, then received his undergraduate Industrial Engineering degree from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois and Masters of Business Administration from Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.  He worked in operating management positions for Hewlett-Packard and Adept Robotics nearby and then moved to Indianapolis where he worked for Eli Lilly & Company, before starting his own manufacturing company, Aristo Machines, Inc.  Rob’s commitment to serving the needs of customers’ tube end forming applications precisely, no matter the complexity of the application, set the standards for Aristo quality.  Following the sale of Aristo, Rob worked in various positions at TRIMEDX in managerial and engineering roles in Indianapolis.  It was there he first met colleague Marnie, who ultimately would inspire so much joy in Rob’s life.

Growing up in an active, sports-oriented family, fortuitously next to a park in Whitefish Bay WI, Rob and his twin brother Randy were blessed to have cherished practice mates across the dining table.  Eventually, they followed their brother Rich to join the Northwestern University football team in Fall 1973, initially as walk-ons, and earned three letters in subsequent years.  In addition, Rob earned a letter on varsity basketball team as a freshman, before focusing on academics and the football scholarship he was awarded.  Rob’s reputation as a teammate was doing the hard work, being prepared and supportive, and poised in competition.  Rob earned 1^st Team 1976 COSIDA Academic All-America Football Team honors in the University Division.  All of these qualities reflected in his professional career and community service, too.

Rob represented the United States as a member of the 1976 US Olympic Team Handball Team competing in the Summer Games in Montreal, Quebec CANADA, joined gratefully by twin Randy.  The post-Olympic Games reception at the White House in Washington DC for the US delegation created a serendipitous opportunity for Rob and Randy to privately dine with Olympic icon and Medal of Honor winner Jesse Owens and his wife, leaving an indelible imprint on the twins regarding the meaning of Olympian and humbling lessons of Mr. Owens’ journey.

In Indianapolis, Rob was gratified to serve on the Board of Mission Indy as it created its new mission-driven Chapel Rock Community Development Corporation.  In addition he was on the frontline as a volunteer for Shepherd Community Center and Chapel Rock Food Pantry, filling grocery bags, delivering them, supplemented as appropriate with a friendly greeting drawn from his own high school Spanish!

Rob always felt so deeply blessed by his children, Kieran and Alexandra.  He was devoted to supporting their educations and activities at Sycamore School, including serving on the Board of Trustees, and North Central High School in Indianapolis and their proud graduations from Purdue University, the alma mater of Rob’s parents.  He was honored and grateful to be their dad, guide, and sounding board in their journeys.

Rob was loyal to his Northwestern University alma mater, serving as the Regional Director of the NU Alumni Admissions Council.

Rob is survived by his wife, Marnie Tannas Dean, son Kieran Andrew Dean, daughter Alexandra Louise Dean, stepson Maxwell David Hildebrand, and stepdaughter Mary Kathleen Hildebrand, brothers Ross Austin Dean, Richard Hamilton Dean (Jane), and Randolph Hume Dean.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 10:00am at Chapel Rock Christian Church, 2020 North Girls School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46214.  A live stream of the service will be available at the following: https://www.lovestream.io/funeral/robert-klein-dean .

Flanner & Buchanan funeral services, www.flannerbuchanan.com, Indianapolis, IN, 317-475-4475.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 2:00pm at Christ Church Episcopal, 5650 N. Lake Drive, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217.  Live Stream will be available.  Please check back prior to May 20, 2023 for link..  Internment in the church columbarium after the service will be private.

Feerick Funeral Home, www.feerickfuneralhome.com, Milwaukee, WI.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be considered to two organizations dear to Rob’s and Marnie’s volunteer service in Indianapolis:

Dayspring Center is an emergency shelter for homeless families and their children providing them with the tools and resources to live a healthier, independent way of life.   www.dayspringindy.org.

Mission Indy’s mission is to help teens take the skills and motivations learned and developed on missions fields and put them into action at home in their own cities.  See the mission of God as a lifestyle rather than a trip.  www.missionindy.com.  2020 North Girls School Road, Indianapolis IN 46214.