Dean Whiteman

Dean Whiteman, 77, of Ft. Collins, passed away on July 29, 2009, at Poudre Valley Hospital of a massive stroke. Dean was born in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Fred and Myrtle Whiteman, on October 24, 1931. Dean worked on the family Grade A Dairy near Topeka until he graduated from Seaman Rural High where he served as president of Hi-Y, was twice president of FFA, lettered in football, basketball and track and was selected to attend Boys State in Emporia, Kansas. Following graduation, he was employed by the Kansas State Grain Inspection Department and was soon certified as a USDA licensed grain inspector, a position he held for several years prior to accepting a position as a Grain Plant Superintendent in Lincoln, Nebraska. He held this position until retiring from the grain business in 1964, at which time he relocated to Ft. Collins, CO, where he opened the first of seven King's Food Host family dining restaurants. By 1974, Dean had three King's Restaurants in Colorado, two in Wyoming and two in Montana. During his time in Ft. Collins, Dean was active in the Ft. Collins Chamber of Commerce, serving as President and serving on the Chamber's executive committee. He also co-chaired the original Downtown Redevelopment Board and served nine years as a board member on the Ft. Collins/Loveland Sanitation District. Following the sale of his restaurants, Dean became a member of the E.E Mitchell Development group, serving as Vice President of Property Management and Commercial Leasing. Simultaneously, he opened Lady's & Gentleman's Fine Shoes in the Foothills Fashion Mall. In 1990, Dean survived a massive stroke and during his three-year rehabilitation he wrote and copy righted the book "Winning Over Stroke", which he donated to the National Stroke Association for their usage with profits going to stroke research. Dean also provided commercial leasing services for Everitt Enterprises prior to his retirement in 1990 due to health issues. Dean and his family loved the outdoor opportunities the Colorado mountains offered. Backpacking, camping, hunting, snowmobiling and snow and water skiing kept the family busy. Dean became a multi-licensed pilot to expedite travel between his business properties. He loved recreational mountain flying and was quite proud of having landed in every Colorado mountain airport at one time or another. He was most proud of his children and the fine adults they have all become, and of his two grandchildren whom he adored. Dean's most gratifying hobby was "doing good deeds for good people." He leaves behind his beloved wife, Sharon; three sons, Gery Whiteman Sue, Ron Whiteman Terri, and Scott Whiteman Colleen; one daughter, Barbara Whiteman Fulton Darren; two grandchildren, Collin and Emma Fulton; his first wife, Clara Whiteman; sister-in-law, Sheryl Schlegel; brother-in-law, Harry Schlegel Theresa, and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at St. John's Lutheran Church in Ft. Collins on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Rev. Brian Bestian will officiate at the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church or Poudre Valley Hospital Foundation- Stroke Treatment in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Ft. Collins, CO 80524.

Tributes

Dean Whiteman

October 24, 1931 - July 29, 2009