In Memoriam: David L. Dean
The American Rhododendron Society has lost one of its most valued members with the death of David L. Dean of Hendersonville, North Carolina, on December 10, 1990. At the time of his death David was president of the Southeastern Chapter and chairman of the planning committee for the annual meeting of the Society to be held in Asheville, North Carolina, in April of 1994.
Since retiring to Hendersonville in 1978 from a highly successful career as an educator and school administrator in the Washington, D.C. area, David and his wife Naoma have developed an extensive, beautifully landscaped rhododendron and azalea garden several acres in size. His collection of rhododendrons and azaleas is one of the best in the area and has been the site of many chapter meetings, as well as a relaxing and enjoyable place for many meetings of local garden clubs. He was popular as a speaker at local and regional meetings, and was especially knowledgeable on matters of propagation, culture, and clonal descriptions. The Southeastern Chapter of the Society gave its highest honor, the Bronze Medal, to David and Naoma in 1990.
David was active in national, regional, and community affairs, including the Nature Conservancy, church work and administration, Council on the Status of Women, Board of Health Services, National Education Association, and Secondary School Administrators Association.
David, who was born February 20, 1921, lived his life to be of service to others without thought of self aggrandizement. The Society is made great by members such as David. He will be missed, but his service will long be remembered.