Dean Leptich
October 26, 1933 – December 16, 2014
Long time Imperial Valley educator and community leader, Dean Leptich, passed away in El Centro on December 16, 2014. Dean was born in Redmond, Washington, on October 26, 1933, to parents of Hungarian and Swedish descent.
When he was 2 years old the family moved to San Diego where he was raised and educated.
Dean’s leadership abilities became readily apparent when he became president both of his senior high school class and of his senior class at San Diego State University. After graduating from SDSU, he began his teaching career in San Diego area high schools in 1955.
Dean’s career as an educator was placed on hold when he enlisted in the Navy (1956-59). A graduate of the Naval Intelligence Center, Washington, D.C., he served as a Naval Intelligence Officer on the USS Hornet in the Western Pacific. Dean was proud to serve his country. Full military honors will be held at Miramar Naval Air Station at a future time to be determined.
In June of 1957 Dean married Sandra Triplett whom he met while training in Washington, D.C. After military discharge in 1959, the couple returned to San Diego, where Dean continued his teaching career. He served as Dean of Students and faculty member at Grossmont High School
(1960-63) and was appointed Assistant Dean of Students at San Diego State University (1963-65). In 1965 Dean was recruited away from SDSU by Imperial Valley College President Terrill Spencer to become the Dean of Students (later Vice-President) for this new campus located in the geographic center of Imperial Valley.
One of Dean’s major accomplishments was the development of the nation’s first community college comprehensive support program for disabled students (1972). He stayed in his administrative position until 1981 at which time he returned to the classroom as a Professor of Speech Communication and Debate. The Imperial Community College Board of Trustees acknowledged his outstanding teaching success with a Master Teacher Recognition award.
At the same time (1981) Dean became the founder and president/general manager of the KSIQ-FM (96.1) radio station in Brawley. This 50,000- watt FM station blanketed Imperial and Mexicali Valley and received the number one Arbitron FM rating in a seven-station market. Dean was an ardent advocate for the Arts, not only in Imperial County, but also in Mexicali, where he promoted concerts, theater and other cultural events.
In recognition of his contributions, the Instituto de Cultura de Baja California awarded him an honorary doctorate.
In a life devoted to serving others, Dean was a member of numerous Imperial Valley organizations including Brawley Chamber of Commerce (two-term president, 1973-74), Brawley Boys Club (founding member, 1968, and president, 1972), Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Imperial Valley (founding president, 1990), Imperial Valley College Museum Board of Advisors member, State of California Developmental Disabilities Board for Imperial-San Diego Counties (chairman, 1977-79), plus Jaycees, Rotary, and Optimist Clubs. Upon his retirement Dean and wife Sandy returned to San Diego where he continued his volunteer activities: San Diego Epilepsy Society, Lake Murray Kiwanis Club, Retired NFL Football Players Association, the San Diego County Grand Jury, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of CA San Diego, where he was President (2005-06) and Council member.
Dean will be remembered for his skills as a teacher, mentor and selfless community leader. He is predeceased by his wife Sandra (43 years), father Martin and mother Ethel.
He is survived by his sons Andrew (Anastasia), Kurt (Sheila) of Brawley and Chad of Julian, plus granddaughters Sara and Katie Leptich of La Mesa. He also is survived by longtime friend and companion Marilou Kratzenstein of San Diego.
Dean was a wonderful, husband, father and grandfather. His granddaughters will remember “G-PA Dean” as the caring man that would make room in his recliner and bring any Dr. Seuss book to life at a moment’s notice.
In the Willard Ave. neighborhood of Brawley he is remembered as the instigator of pool parties, ping pong tournaments and barbeques. An Imperial Valley memorial service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2015 in the Science Auditorium room number 2734 of Imperial Valley College.
Visitors are requested to use the north parking lot. The remembrance will begin at 10 a.m. The family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Imperial Valley College Foundation