Howard Roger Dean, 78, of Bethlehem Township, died March 28, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. He was the husband of Nancy L. (Raymond) Dean for 36 years.

Born in Stuttgart, Akansas, he was a son of the late Howard Joseph and Lilllian Adele (McElveen) Dean.

He attended the College of Forestry at Syracuse University for two years. After his military service, he earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Utica College.

He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, 1966-1972. He played baseball on the Air Force team. He was invited to try out for a minor league baseball team.

He was a vice president of sales for the Joe Kirwan Company, Old Bridge, New Jersey, for 42 years until he retired in 2022.

He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Bethlehem, and of Westernville Presbyterian Church, Westernville, New York.

He coached his son Roger’s baseball and basketball teams.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Roger A. (Katie Rentz) of Philadelphia; two sisters, Bonnie (Leonard) Charney of Westernville, New York, and Barbara (Thomas) Hardiman of Potsdam, New York; two grandchildren, Gabriel Wildman-Dean Julia Wildman-Dean; nieces; and nephews.

He was predeceased by a son, Howard Joseph Dean; and a sister, Donna Beckstead.

Contributions may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital by visiting www.stjude.org; Tunnel to Towers Foundation att2t.org; and/or St. Luke’s ICU Unit, 1872 St. Luke’s Blvd, Easton, PA 18045 or to the Center for Nursing Excellence at St. Luke’s, St. Luke’s Development Office, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015; or atslhn.org/development/ways-to-give/make-a-gift.

Arrangements were made by Connell Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.