Dean, Stanley Keith (1920 - 2003)

Summary

Stanley Keith Dean was an engineer who helped design and manufacture world-class experimental research equipment as Head of Engineering at Defence Standards Laboratories. Stanley Dean was also a community activist who helped Parkville, Victoria become the first urban area in Australia to be classified by the National Trust. After his retirement in 1984, Davey spent his time volunteering for several organizations including the Mount Royal Hospital and for TADVIC, a volunteer co-operative that custom designs, makes and modifies aids for people with disabilities.

Details

Stan Dean spent most of his life mixing work with study. He was dux at Brunswick Technical School, worked as an office boy for 2 years at the age of 14, then went on to finish his leaving certificate and complete a diploma in technical engineering by age 21. As a 16 year old Dean worked as an apprentice with the Gas & Fuel Corporation. In 1942 he was commissioned to the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers where he served as a lieutenant in Morotai and Japan. He returned to Australia in 1946 and went straight back to study, graduating with an Honours degree in electrical Engineering from Melbourne University in 1949. Dean then moved to Europe in 1950, first working for the British Iron and Steel Research Association and then the French Atomic Energy Commission. In 1956, while still in France, Dean was hit by a car and was not expected to survive. He remained in a comma for three weeks, but eventually recovered. He returned to Australia in 1957, was married in 1958 and fathered 5 children between 1959-68. At some point during this time Dean returned to study and completed a MA in mechanical engineering and a BA. In 1963 Dean joined Defence Standards Laboratories and was appointed head of engineering. He oversaw many high-level projects. Although Dean retired in 1984, he did not stop contributing. He volunteered at Mount Royal Hospital and joined TADVIC where he completed more than 40 projects and was a board member for 11 years. Stan Dean also served for 40 years as secretary of the Canterbury Fellowship, helped establish the Fellowship Trust Fund and vigorously fought to preserve the natural and historical beauty of his home suburb Parkville.

Chronology

1941

Education - Finished a diploma in mechanical engineering and leaving certificate

1942

Award - Commissioned as a lieutenant with the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

1949

Education - Completed an electrical engineering degree with honours, University of Melbourne

1950 - 1954

Career position - Research Associate at British Iron and Steel, England

1954 - 1957

Career position - Joined the French Atomic energy Commission

1957

Career position - Joined Con-Zinc

1958

Life event - Married Margaret, in Melbourne

1960? - 1968?

Education - Completed a MA in mechanical engineering and a BA, University of Melbourne?

1963 - 1984

Career position - Joined Defence Standards Laboratory and appointed Head of Engineering. Location: Melbourne

1970

Career position - Chairman, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Victoria panel

1973 - 1975

Career position - Chairman, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Australian panel

1984

Life event - Retired

1989 - 2003

Career position - Joined Technical Aid to the Disabled (TADVIC) as a volunteer and board member

1990 - 2003

Career position - Committee member of the Mechanical branch of the Institution of Engineers, Australia

Published resources

Resources

• 'Dean, Stanley Keith (1920-2003)', Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, https://nla.gov.au/nla.party-1473900. Details