Dean DeCarli, California-Davis, passed away at the age of 97 in April. Dean became a member of the Phi Chapter at the University of California – Davis in 1925. While at UC Davis, Dean was an Aggie boxer, editor of the campus newspaper and class valedictorian.

    After graduation, he went to work for the Happyholme Dairy. He and three friends purchased the dairy and delivered 4,000 gallons of milk each day to Camp Shoemaker during World War II. This partnership also started one of Stockton, California’s first fast-food restaurants, the Bobb Inn.

    His political career began in 1952, when he was asked to fill an unexpired term on the Stockton City Council; he then went on to serve as Stockton’s Mayor. As Stockton’s mayor for two terms, Dean began efforts to renovate the city’s downtown neighborhood. Dean DeCarli Waterfront Square, the new heart of downtown Stockton, was dedicated in his honor June 29, 2001. He has been active in supporting the University of the Pacific’s athletic club and the Kiwanis Club.

    He was the president of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA) in 1950-52, helping to develop the UC Davis Foundation. In nearly 80 years of involvement with the university, Dean received a number of honors, including the University Service Award in 1967, CAAA’s Jerry W. Fielder alumnus of the year award in 1974, and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Science’s Award of Distinction in 1996. Dean was also a Parade Marshall for the university’s Picnic Day, and had a room named in his honor. Dean was inducted into the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity Hall of Fame, and a Brother of the Century.

    Dean is survived by his wife of 15 years, Erma DeCarli; and preceded in death by his former wife Edna, in 1989. Dean was also the father of three, grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of 12.