R. Willard Dean (1918-2009) was born in New York City and died in Lakewood, Colorado. He attended Wright Oral School, NYC, and graduated from the Bolles Academy, Jacksonville, FL and Occidental College, Eagle Rock, CA. He was employed as research chemist, but photography his life-long passion. He loved hiking, rock climbing, traveling, bicycling and was a life member of Sierra Club, Colorado Mountain Club, Colorado Photographic Arts Center.