Eulogy -- by James Kline (Thank you, Jim)
Dean Milton Dellinger
Four score and five years ago Our Father brought forth on this continent Dean Dellinger. I start with this fitting paraphrase of the Gettysburg Address since he was born on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday in 1929 in Illinois, the land of Lincoln. So how does one summarize the honored life of someone so dear to each of us in two hours?
Let me begin by saying that you find out how much you don’t know about a man when you sit down to write about him.
Dean grew up in DeKalb, Illinois. After graduation from High School, he began his westward journey by going to Lincoln, Nebraska to attend the University of Nebraska where he met his bride-to-be, Barbara Lou Bretzer.
Armed by the UN with a degree in music, he began teaching in the Lincoln area. He also started his professional music career, playing in dance combos and big bands throughout Nebraska. On a side note, Dean and Barbara were married and started a family, raising three lovely children, Denice, Allan and Becky.
With family in tow, Dean continued his westward journey to Lake Arrowhead, California to begin a 30 year teaching career in the Rim of the World School District. It was during this time that He developed the long lasting relationships and friendships with many of the people here today. He and Barb were instrumental in establishing Mt Calvary Lutheran Church and Arrowhead Lutheran Camp. He worked many different side jobs to supplement his income. He watched his children grow up, get married, and present him with 8 marvelous grandchildren. After retiring from Rim of the World, it was down but not out for Dean and Barbara as they decided to move to the beautiful lowland resort town of Hemet. They eventually ended up in San Jacinto where Dean could “unretire” to sub in the Hemet School District and teach at Mt San Jacinto Community College. He loved his music far more than retirement. He began directing the Golden Eagles Big Band and did so for another 20 years. Even after his second retirement, he continued playing with the band until he was 84.
After Barbara passed away in 2012, Dean moved to Leisure Pointe Assisted Living Home in San Bernardino to be closer to family for the twilight of his life. Dean entered the glory of Heaven on May 30, 2014 (the old traditional date for Memorial Day).
So this is Dean Dellinger’s timeline. What about the man? Obviously, he was different to each one of us in his capacity as father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, mentor, or friend. I don’t remember the exact date that I met Dean and Barbara, but I do remember his sparkling eyes and his infectious smile. I also remember his sense of humor. If you were a friend of his children, then you were family, although I think Diane was more family and I was the “drag-along.” That was further reinforced after the University of Nebraska joined the Big Ten Football Conference and he found out I was a Michigan State Alumnus! All of a sudden Saturday football took on a new meaning……he did love his Cornhuskers!!
In 2012, after Barb’s passing, Allan, Dean, and Allan’s wife, Barbara, decided it was time for a road trip east… to Lincoln, Nebraska. This trip was difficult for Dean, but he was excited to see his sister Glendora and family, cousins, college buddy Sunny, and long-time friends and fellow Husker fanatics, the LaVoies. These were joyous, but bittersweet reunions, as everyone knew it would probably be the last time. Dean was a great friend; he even continued a childhood friendship with Don Peterson, for over 80 years! He also made a lasting impression on new friends, such as his loving caregivers at Walnut Senior Home who saw to his needs up to the very end. Nelda even commented that in all her years of caring for the elderly, there was never anyone like Dean who cared for others more than himself. She added that she will never forget him. Dean was genuine and that’s why he was loved so much.
I know that Dean was a great man…..and he didn’t even have to tell me. I can see it reflected in his family, I read it in the messages posted to the memorial website and I see it by your presence here today to honor him. I am sure that everyone here has fond memories and personal recollections about Dean in their lives. Let us cherish these memories of a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather; a caring teacher and mentor; a staunch friend; a devout man of God!
I would have been honored to call him Dad... I am humbled to call him Friend!
Let the memories of Dean the musician, Dean the teacher,
and Dean the father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband,
and friend be with us all forever.