Scott Dean, broadcast engineer, husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend passed away last week at age 73. He was born to the late Elbert and Eleanor Dean in Fresno. He grew up with his two brothers always exploring or tinkering with whatever they could find. Scott grew up in the radio business. His mother and father owned a Muzak franchise and later built their own radio station KXQR, giving him a love for music at and early age.
After high school, Scott attended college and later met his future wife, Linda. Scott served his country during the Vietnam War. He joined the Air Force and became a Sergeant with the Strategic Air Command. He assisted with maintenance of missiles and aircraft in Vandenberg and Northern Thailand.
After an honorable discharge, he married Linda and started a family in Fresno. Scott started his own business working as a broadcasting engineer for a number of local radio stations including the Univision radio group. Scott spent over two decades as the chief engineer at Valley Public Radio and was a key part of the design-build team behind the construction of KVPR state-of-the art broadcast center in Clovis. He retired in 2018.
Funeral Services were held on Tuesday February 26 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fresno. Condolences may be offered by visiting www.farewell.com.
The following is a memorial written by Tim Pozar, a Fresno native who began his broadcasting career in the Central Valley. Tim now resides in Mill Valley where he does Network and VoIP Consulting Engineering.
Scott was mensch and a friend.
I first met him when I was doing contract engineering in Fresno for stations like KVPR. He was mainly doing the contract for the transmitters up on Meadow for VPR while I was doing the studio work.
It was a cordial relationship. It wasn’t on the “lets go out for drinks” kinda thing. We both were busy but did everything we could to help each other out. During emergencies he was on the spot and did everything he could. We did meet up on occasion and had some great phone chats.
His biggest impact on me was when he was consulting for a company called Weaver, Davis Fowler (WDF), which at that point owned KYNO-FM. They also owned KLOK-AM in San Jose. In January of 1984, WDF bough the FM on Sutro Tower that KGO owned. Scott told me that they were looking for a CE and I quickly applied and was hired. I expect Scott passed on some kind words of my work to the folks there. Moving to San Francisco changed my life. It meant working at at top 10 market and eventually marrying my wife (25 years now) and eventually changing careers into a serial entrepreneur.
A couple of years after I moved to SF, Scott ended up having an organ transplant at UCSF hospital on Parnassus in SF. I visited him while he was recuperating. He looked a bit weak but to be expected after a major surgery. I told him of the impact he had and thank him.
About every other month, I know of some work associate, retaliative or friend pass on. My contact list keeps growing with the word “DECEASED” in the note field. I regret I didn’t get to chat with Scott more. He was always a joy to talk to. I am making it more of a priority to reach out and stay in contact with friends. Life slips away in ways you don’t expect.
–Tim
