Richard C. Kleinhans, 1943 (Lacrosse)
Reverend Richard I. Dean graduated from Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences in 1967 with a degree in history. He earned a master’s degree from Appalachian State in 1979. At Syracuse, Dean was a four-year member of the men’s basketball team, playing on the 1963-64 freshman squad and earning three varsity letters (1965-67). While at Syracuse he was SU’s 1965-66 most improved player and 1966-67 most valuable player. In 1966-67 Dean earned Second Team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors and UPI Honorable Mention All-America recognition. The San Francisco Warriors selected Dean in the ninth round of the 1967 NBA draft.
In addition to his basketball involvement, Dean was active with the Army R.O.T.C. at Syracuse. He served as Cadet Commander during his senior year, earning recognition as a Top Army R.O.T.C. Cadet and a Distinguished Military Graduate. Following graduation he completed a distinguished military career, serving in Vietnam as an Infantry Platoon Leader for the 101st Airborne Division and then as staff officer Company commander from 1969 to 1970. He was honorably discharged in 1970 with the rank of captain. He received several military awards including the Bronze Star, Silver Star, Army Commendation Medal, and Combat Infantry Badge in Vietnam, and the RANGER Tab and Airborne Wings. From 1970 through 1973 Dean worked as a special agent for the FBI in Mississippi and Indiana. He then worked in the private business sector for three years before a 20-year career in the North Carolina Public School System. Currently, Dean is an ordained elder with United Methodist Church and is currently serving as Senior Minister of Higgins Memorial UMC in Burnsville, N.C. An SU Varsity Club member for 25 years, Dean is active in community and church activities.
