Harry Dean Spencer, 83 of Brookfield, Wisconsin passed away on Sunday, May 1, 2022; at Angels Grace in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022; at the United Methodist Church in Scotia, Nebraska. Pastor Arsene Lumami will officiate. Private Inurnment will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Scotia, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to the Family’s Choice. Ord Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Harry Dean Spencer was born on May 18, 1938, the son of Harry and Marjorie (Smalley) Spencer. Dean grew up in Scotia, Nebraska and helped on the family farm during his high school years.
Following graduation from Scotia High School in 1956, Dean moved to Omaha and worked as a truck driver. This was not his love, so in January of 1957, Dean attended Kearney State College and earned a degree in Science Education.
Before he could teach, Dean was drafted into the Army and spent two years doing research at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland. When he was discharged from the Army, he chose to go back to school in Oklahoma and earned both his Masters and Doctorate degrees. He then moved to Wisconsin and worked in microbiology labs in hospitals, eventually becoming the director of the lab. He spent his entire career working in Wisconsin.
After retirement, Dean continued to live in Wisconsin and enjoyed traveling and bird watching. He took many trips with his mother, visiting places like Alaska, Mexico and going overseas. One memorable trip was to Washington DC during September of 2001. While there, the 911 attacks happened, and the group was stuck in DC. Dean and Marjorie ended up renting a car and driving back home to Nebraska, but that trip will never be forgotten.
Dean is survived by two sisters, Marcia Vance of Scotia, Nebraska and Linda Swanson of Seward, Nebraska; one niece, Michelle (Mike) Linke of Scotia, Nebraska; and two nephews, David (Kathy) Vance of Herndon, Virginia and Jim (Emmanda) Swanson of Staplehurst, Nebraska; along with two great-nieces and six great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers-in-laws, Darrel Vance and Wayne Swanson.
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