In Memory Of
Dean G Barber
1944
2022
Dean G Barber
February 23, 1944 — December 22, 2022
Dean G Barber, 78, passed away at home on December 22, 2022, after a brief illness. Dean is survived by his wife of 28 years, Carol, and son Daniel of Orlando; stepson Forrest Cunningham (Becky), currently stationed in Tunisia; sister Diane Scoff (John) of Lake Lure, NC, brother Ray Barber (Beckie) of Sylva, NC; granddaughter Leah, and numerous loving cousins, nieces, and nephews from the Bobel, Barber, and Farris families. Dean is pre-deceased by his parents, Harold and Marjorie Barber, and sister Mary Jane Barber.
A memorial service with livestreaming will be held at 2:00 pm on January 6, 2023 at Newcomer's Funeral Home, 3806 Howell Branch Rd, Winter Park, FL, with a small reception immediately following at the same location. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Dean's countless efforts to advance various community and civic projects over the years, please consider donating to the UCF Knights Pantry at: https://studentunion.ucf.edu/knights-pantry/
Dean was born February 23, 1944, in Willard, Ohio, to Harold and Marjorie Barber (née Bobel). Harold was serving as a Bomb Disposal Officer for the U.S. Army in Western Europe at the time, while Marjorie served as a Registered Nurse at Willard Hospital. Dean's childhood was spent following his father's military career to locations around the world, including Illinois, England, Nevada, Japan, and Texas. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout, climbed Mt. Fuji, and became a Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor.
After briefly attending the University of Illinois, Dean enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1964, where he served on the USS Cochrane as a Sonar Operator during 4 cruises to Vietnam, earning amongst several awards the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars. He transitioned to the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1968, and continued a reserve capacity to work with the Navy's Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Units (MIUWUs). Dean and his unit were activated in November 2000 following the bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen, and he remained in an Active status for the better part of the next 3-½ years supporting Port Security efforts in the United Arab Emirates, Spain, and several other overseas ports during the Global War on Terror. Enlisting as a Seaman Recruit (E-1), Dean promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8), transitioned to Warrant Officer and promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO-2), then commissioned into the Officer corps and promoted to the rank of Commander (O-5). Dean retired in 2004, having served the Navy and his country for 40 years and 4 days.
Upon leaving active duty Navy service in 1968, Dean attended the University of South Florida, graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology. He immediately began working for the State of Florida as a Biologist in the Department of Environmental Protection, where his work would range over the next four decades from studying rock shrimp and lobster migration to native and invasive aquatic plants. Dean is a recipient of the Florida Lake Management Society (FLMS) Marjorie Carr Award, the Society's highest award, given for lifetime work on behalf of Florida's aquatic resources. Dean also has the dubious honor of being the only three-time recipient of the Department of Natural Resources' "Bottom Club" Propeller, having sent his airboat to the lake bed on three documented excursions. Dean retired from the State of Florida in 2006 as a regional Biological Administrator, after 34 years of service. In retirement, Dean continued his passion for shepherding Florida's natural resources, volunteering and contracting with Seminole County until his death.
Dean successfully passed on his passion for service to the family. Daniel is an Aquatic Biologist with Seminole County and Eagle Scout, and Forrest is serving as an Officer in the Navy. In addition to his passion for the military and environmental protection, Dean was an avid SCUBA diver, world traveler, Boy Scout leader, bicyclist, gardener, and life-long learner. He will be missed.
The Livestreaming link will open 30 minutes prior to the scheduled service. Please copy & paste the link below into your web browser:
https://tributestream.com/celebration-of-life-for-dean-g-barber/
To share your memories of Dean or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
A memorial service with livestreaming will be held at 2:00 pm on January 6, 2023 at Newcomer's Funeral Home, 3806 Howell Branch Rd, Winter Park, FL, with a small reception immediately following at the same location. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Dean's countless efforts to advance various community and civic projects over the years, please consider donating to the UCF Knights Pantry at: https://studentunion.ucf.edu/knights-pantry/
Dean was born February 23, 1944, in Willard, Ohio, to Harold and Marjorie Barber (née Bobel). Harold was serving as a Bomb Disposal Officer for the U.S. Army in Western Europe at the time, while Marjorie served as a Registered Nurse at Willard Hospital. Dean's childhood was spent following his father's military career to locations around the world, including Illinois, England, Nevada, Japan, and Texas. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout, climbed Mt. Fuji, and became a Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor.
After briefly attending the University of Illinois, Dean enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1964, where he served on the USS Cochrane as a Sonar Operator during 4 cruises to Vietnam, earning amongst several awards the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars. He transitioned to the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1968, and continued a reserve capacity to work with the Navy's Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Units (MIUWUs). Dean and his unit were activated in November 2000 following the bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen, and he remained in an Active status for the better part of the next 3-½ years supporting Port Security efforts in the United Arab Emirates, Spain, and several other overseas ports during the Global War on Terror. Enlisting as a Seaman Recruit (E-1), Dean promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8), transitioned to Warrant Officer and promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO-2), then commissioned into the Officer corps and promoted to the rank of Commander (O-5). Dean retired in 2004, having served the Navy and his country for 40 years and 4 days.
Upon leaving active duty Navy service in 1968, Dean attended the University of South Florida, graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology. He immediately began working for the State of Florida as a Biologist in the Department of Environmental Protection, where his work would range over the next four decades from studying rock shrimp and lobster migration to native and invasive aquatic plants. Dean is a recipient of the Florida Lake Management Society (FLMS) Marjorie Carr Award, the Society's highest award, given for lifetime work on behalf of Florida's aquatic resources. Dean also has the dubious honor of being the only three-time recipient of the Department of Natural Resources' "Bottom Club" Propeller, having sent his airboat to the lake bed on three documented excursions. Dean retired from the State of Florida in 2006 as a regional Biological Administrator, after 34 years of service. In retirement, Dean continued his passion for shepherding Florida's natural resources, volunteering and contracting with Seminole County until his death.
Dean successfully passed on his passion for service to the family. Daniel is an Aquatic Biologist with Seminole County and Eagle Scout, and Forrest is serving as an Officer in the Navy. In addition to his passion for the military and environmental protection, Dean was an avid SCUBA diver, world traveler, Boy Scout leader, bicyclist, gardener, and life-long learner. He will be missed.
The Livestreaming link will open 30 minutes prior to the scheduled service. Please copy & paste the link below into your web browser:
https://tributestream.com/celebration-of-life-for-dean-g-barber/
To share your memories of Dean or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dean G Barber, please visit our flower store.
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