Lasting Memories

Dean Babcock
March 14, 1924-May 11, 2021
Portola Valley, California

Dean Babcock, a 63 year resident of Portola Valley, died at home with his family around him on May 11, 2021. He was 96 years old. Dean was born and raised in Minneapolis. He attended the University of Minnesota, earning a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He enlisted as an officer in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He served as radio officer on the U.S.S. Earle in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. After his service in the Navy Dean worked for the Collins Radio Advanced Projects Division in Burbank, CA. While at Collins Radio he also pursued a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering at UCLA. It was there that he met and married Agnes Bierman. They moved to Portola Valley in 1958 when Dean was offered a position at Stanford Research Institute where he would spend the rest of his career. At SRI Dean and his lab researched and developed some of the most advanced RADAR technology in the world. The technology and practical applications his lab developed greatly increased the safety of air travel worldwide and aided our troops wherever they were engaged.

Dean was always civically engaged. In 1958 Portola Valley was an unincorporated part of Menlo Park. It was not long before Dean joined a group of farsighted individuals in developing a plan and undergoing the lengthy process of creating a new town, the town of Portola Valley. The town was incorporated in 1964. A central mission of incorporation was the autonomous maintenance of Portola Valley's rural character. In the decades to follow he was actively involved in the planning and regulation required to sustain this mission.

Dean was passionate about everything he did, whether for work or pleasure. He had an intense love of the outdoors. Skiing was his greatest passion. He moved from the Midwest to California to live near mountains. He and Agnes first met as members of the UCLA Ski Club. After moving to Portola Valley Dean became a member of the National Ski Patrol. He began teaching his children to ski by the time they were 3 and 4 years old. The two also loved exploring the West by camper with their 4 children and one very large dog. Through all they did with their children Dean and Agnes were both forever-learners and forever-teachers.

Dean gave his all in every endeavor. He was a devoted husband, a dedicated father to Cecile (Herb), Frank (Mandy, Carl (Linda) and Meg (Emmanuel), and a beloved Grandfather to Emily, Christian, Justin, Ben, Katy and Gabrielle.