Mr Dean was was former army chaplain during the second World War, he then in 1958 went on to spend 10 years as a teacher at Herbert Strutt School in Belper. He married three times and had one son and two grandchildren.

Reg Dean was described as a multi-talented man. In 1987 he set up the Dalesmen Male Voice Choir, and this was one of his greatest passions. He also wrote short stories and took up painting when he reached 80 years old. He also set up a shop in the home he shared with his third wife which brought Fair Trade to Wirksworth. He was a vegeterian for 30 years and was a minister at both the Church of England and the United Reformed Church until he retired at the age of 80.

Mr Dean believed that the secret to his long life was due to a “mysterious medicine” he was given as a child.

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