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Dean C. Kehr

Published August 08,2023

Obituary's Biography:

Dean C. Kehr, age 61, a resident of Lindenhurst, IL, passed away on August 5, 2023, at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, IL, after suffering from cardiac arrest. He was born on March 1, 1962, in West Allis, Wisconsin, to Calvin D.F. and Annarose Kehr.

Dean is a retired United States Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman with two primary specialties; Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman and Medical Field Service Technician. Dean was a combat veteran deployed to Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Deep Freeze. He has numerous medals and citations; Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Southwest Asia Service Ribbon, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, Antarctica Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon. Dean loved guiding the young corpsman in providing quality medical care. His most memorable duty stations were Okinawa, Japan; Antarctica; San Diego, CA; and two tours at Great Lakes, IL, where he met his wife, Dale.

He fell in love with sports and started to officiate when he was in Antarctica and continued when he got transferred to Great Lakes, IL, 25 years ago. Dean was an official for football, basketball, softball, baseball, and lacrosse for men and women of all ages. He traveled all over Illinois and Wisconsin, did tournaments in South Bend, Indiana, and went to Cooperstown, NY, a few times to help local teams.

Dean was also active in Cub Scout Pack 624 of Great Lakes Naval Station as a Cub Master when his sons were young and then went on to support the local Boy Scout Troop 96 out of St. Gilbert. Dean believed in youth programs and would offer his time to Special Olympics as an official. Once he retired from the Navy, he worked in the North Chicago Schools as a Substitute teacher and a Paraprofessional. He eventually returned to work with military medicine, first at the old Navy Hospital and recently at the James A. Lovell Healthcare Center, where he worked as Advanced Medical Support Associate, Occupational Health Technician, and Supervisory Medical Support Assistant.

Dean is survived by his wife, Dale Patricia Kehr of 36 years, whom he married on May 16, 1987, in Framingham, MA; his children, Sean P.C. Kehr of Ft. Meade, MD, Scott D. Kehr of Madison, WI, and Symantha P. Kehr of Chicago, IL; his siblings, Leann (Marcus) Harwitz, Janice (John) Thorgersen, David (Emilie Garth) Kehr, Junann (Greg) Heinen; and his niece, Sonja (Eddie Conlon) Thorgersen. He was preceded in death by his parents. 

 A visitation will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030, on Friday, August 11, 2023, from 4:30 pm until 8:30 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Gilbert Catholic Church, 301 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030, on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 10 am. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dean’s name to St. Jude, Wounded Warriors, Asperitech, American Heart Association, Special Olympics, or an organization of your choice, as giving back was in his nature. For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org

To view slideshow click here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/CQ594Q587NZXJ2DB

19 replies on “Dean C. Kehr”

  1. To Dale Sean,Scott, Sym
    He will be missed, he was a great husband and father. Heaven gained another angel and he will be watching over you
    Love. Cindy

  2. I am genuinely shocked and saddened by Dean’s passing. While we have not spoken in many years, I did consider him a friend, a fellow chief, and a shipmate. I am sorry for the loss to his family. I know he will be greatly missed.

    1. It has taken me sometime to write. George, thank you for commenting he always considered you a friend, a fellow chief and a shipmate! Thank you for commenting.

  3. We send our heartfelt condolences to you and your family Dean was a great man and a friend. Every time we saw him at the Fhcc he took time to talk to us. He will be missed.

  4. My thoughts and prayers are with Dale, their children, and the many family members, friends, and colleagues whom are mourning Dean’s passing. Dean always spoke with such pride in his voice about his family. He will be greatly missed but we hold on tight to the promises of our great God that we will be reunited again.

    1. Thank you, Cathy, for you and Jim visiting us in the hospital and for coming to the services. He thought a lot about you both.

  5. He will make a wonderful angel, just like a wonderful man he was with us at the FHCC. He always greeted me with “Hey Boss”! I’m not his boss, but we had some good talks!
    Will miss him a lot!!!

    Prayers go out to the family.

    Sorry for your loss,
    Karen

  6. My condolences to you all. He will be missed. Love you both. Take care of yourself and your families during this time of grief.

    1. Thank you, Darlene. He often talked about our time on Okinawa and the friends we made there. We so enjoyed visiting you and your family as we traveled to Illinois that many years ago.

  8. Heaven has gained another angel! Dean you were a great brother and friend! Always loved your jokes and stories.
    We as a family will miss you deeply!
    Love your,
    Sister

  9. I had the pleasure of working with Dean while in the Navy and again as a civilian employee. He was a great man, always willing to help others. I learned a lot from him. My condolences to his family. He will be missed by many.

  11. I was so saddened to hear about Dean. We have been trying to get his family and my family together for quite a while, but never did it. I have known Dean since he was first born. Our parents were childhood friends, and they had picnics and birthday parties. Dale, I am so sorry. ❤️❤️😓😓🙏🙏

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