Philip “Phil” Clyde Dean, age 81, of River Falls, Wis., died Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at Comforts of Home in Hudson, Wis.
He was born on Dec. 28, 1943, in Inglewood, Calif., a son of Philip Clyde and Lois (Larson) Dean. Phil attended college at the University of Minnesota where he earned his bachelor’s degree. Following college, he worked a brief time as an underwriter for Prudential Insurance Company. At age 28, he decided to start renting his house near the U of M out to fellow college students and focus his time on playing tennis. From a very young age, playing tennis was a true passion of Phil’s. He once won a National Amateur Award in a tournament in New York City. He also enjoyed kayaking on the local rivers, gardening and walking his dog. He was a very creative, athletic, intelligent person. On Nov. 24, 1984, he married Cheryl Maplethorpe in St. Paul, Minn.. Together they would live the next 40 years together, raising their family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Lois. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; sons, Andrew and Conrad Dean; granddaughter, Iona Backonja; siblings, Lyn Dean, Lani Griffin, Fred Dean and Lisa Janzig.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026 with memory sharing service to begin at 3 p.m. at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E. Division St.) in River Falls. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
