Dean C. Santis, 81 years young, unexpectedly went home in the arms of his family on Aug. 2,2024 at St. Luke’s Hospital.
A visitation was held Thursday, Aug. 8, at Seeds of Faith Church in Lisbon. Dean’s Graveside Service was Friday, Aug. 9, at Campbell Cemetery 7501 Mount Vernon Road SE, Cedar Rapids with Rev. Erika Uthe officiating. Dawson Funeral Services is caring for his family at this time. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.dawsonfuneral.com.
Dean was born March 12, 1943, in Chicago, Ill., to Lysander and Efiginia Santis. He was raised in Chicago, Ill., with his grandmother, aunt, and mother. His father was serving in the Army at this time during World War II. Dean moved with his parents to Lombard, Ill., where he was raised. The family welcomed his baby sister, Amelia. Dean’s first language was Greek due to his parents and relatives speaking Greek. His first year of school was challenging. He quickly overcame the language barrier . His strict but loving upbringing helped shape him into the man he became. He was one of the most honest and giving people that anyone has ever known. He had the rare trait that if he gave you his word he would keep it. A handshake or verbal agreement with him was as good as a legally written contract. He was very generous with everything he had in life, including his time, which he would devote to anyone in need (no matter how big or time consuming the project was). Like people of Greek heritage, family and extended family were a big part of his life; this led to him being a very social person.
Dean went to the University of Illinois at Navy Pier in Chicago and then onto the Champagne, Urbana U of I campus. He received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1966. He met Joan at the university, she became the love of his life. They were married Sept. 3, 1966 after graduating.
This year they would be celebrating their 59th anniversary, but God had different plans. Dean and Joan then moved to Pittsburgh, Penn., because Dean received a fellowship from Westinghouse to work on his master degree in electrical engineering. He received his M.S.E.E from the University of Pittsburgh in 1968. He was a very sought after engineer and was recruited by several government agencies. He was able to apply his skills at multiple companies both national and private (Motorola, International Harvester, Rockwell Goss, and Technology Inc. He designed nuclear reactor controls, intricate electronics, alternators, electrical systems for International Harvester tractors, and printing press electronics). He holds multiple patents in these areas.
Dean had many accomplishments in his professional career, but he received the most joy from his family. He would tell people that his greatest accomplishments were his two sons, Christopher and Matthew. In all honesty they also brought him the most challenges, gray hair, and a lot of joy to his life. Dean and Joan raised their family in Winfield, Ill., and Crystal Lake, Ill.. Dean and Joan retired in Mount Vernon and loved to watch the deer, fox, turkeys, and hummingbirds. They did not like groundhogs and raccoons. Dean spent countless hours working on cars and machinery of all types. If something happened to one of the cars it was treated as if it were a family member in the hospital. He was a mentor, teacher, leader, protector and role model for his children and grandchildren. He passed his mechanical knowledge and construction abilities on to them. He was also an accomplished woodworker. He never met a challenge that he would give up on.
Left to mourn for him is his loving wife, Joan. She was his strength, advocate, and his best friend. Also in mourning are his two sons Christopher (Angela) Santis of Lisbon, and Matthew (Lisa) Santis of Crystal Lake, Ill.; his grandchildren Caden, Andrew, Logan. Alea, Kaylee, and Alyssa; his sister , Amelia (Jim) Corso of Sarasota, Florida; brothers-in-law Robert Russell ( Lynn) Gerches of Fort Myers, Fla.; his brothers-in-law Richard Gerches and Lloyd Witting and his sisters-in-law Betty Gerches and Lucille Witting; many nieces, nephews, and several cousins. He is now united in Heaven with his granddaughter Chrissa and his mother and father whom he missed dearly.
The family would like to thank Dr. Sheeley and Dr. Ahmed for taking good care of Dean. We would also like to give a very special thank you to Chaplan Loren Olson for his comforting words; to ICU Dr. Cyrus Askin for his honesty about Dean’s medical situation; to ICU nurse Tannah Tedesco and Palliative care nurse Angie for answering all our questions. We greatly appreciate them giving us the gift of time to say goodbye to our loved one.
Dean cherished going out to eat at restaurants as this allowed him to spend time with family and reflect on his father’s profession of being an excellent waiter. Dean also cherished cuddling and feeding his pug, Daisy while watching Fox News.
Cards of condolences may be mailed to Dawson Funeral Services ATTN: Dean Santis Family PO Box 258 Wyoming, Iowa 52362.