Dean L. Adams

Dean L. Adams passed away Dec. 24, 2023, at the age of 90 from heart failure and stroke complications.

Dean was born on Sept. 9, 1933, to Grace and Oscar Adams in Eugene, Ore. He graduated from Eugene High School in 1951, and was a truck driver for Rexius Forest Products. He attended Eugene Bible College, where he met Barbara Newton of Antioch, Calif. They were married in 1955, and spent a year stationed in Germany while Dean served in the Army. 

Dean obtained a degree in mechanical engineering from Northrop Institute of Technology in Culver City, Calif. He was then hired by Reynolds Aluminum, beginning a lifelong association with the company at its Troutdale and Longview plants. Dean finally retired as plant engineer in 1992.

During the period Dean worked at the Troutdale plant, he spent his free time building a Thorp T-18 experimental aircraft in the garage of their family home in southeast Portland. He flew the airplane for several years, and it is now on display at the Boeing Museum of Flight in Seattle.

Dean dove into his retirement years, vigorously pursuing his automotive passions, faithfully volunteering in the church, improving their hillside property in Longview, and traveling with Barbara. 

Dean is survived by Barbara Adams, his wife of 68 years; sister Arliene Adams; daughter Tacy Dascaloff and husband Constantin; son Thomas Adams and wife Elaine; daughter Amy Adams and husband Bryan Boggs; and six grandchildren, Avishai, Maia, Meredith, Jane, William, and Margaret. 

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 27 at Longview Presbyterian Church.