Dean N. Chatburn

Dean N. Chatburn passed away on September 9 at the age of 91. He was born on December 5, 1925 to John B and Zella Ada (Handy) Chatburn at the family home in Albion, Idaho. He grew up in Albion, attending grade school and graduating from Albion High School in December 1943.

During his senior year of high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp cadet program and was called up for active duty in 1944 taking his basic training in Amarillo, Texas. After serving two years in the military at various duty stations stateside, he was given an honorable discharge in Sana Anna, CA from the Army Air Corps in March 1946 and was transferred to Fort Douglas, UT to complete the process. At that time, the recruiter talked him into a 5 year term in the Army Air Corp. Twenty-three years later, he retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a Captain. During his career in the Army Reserves he served with the 755 ^th Engineer Company, the 321 ^st Special Forces Unit and as an instructor for the USAR School for reserve officers.

He married Carrie Bernice Clark on May 19, 1945, in Albion, Idaho. They had three children from this union. DeAnn (Joe) Zubizarreta, Boise, Idaho; Dennis (Barbara) Chatburn of Moscow, Idaho; David (Linda) Chatburn of Sammamish, Washington.

After his discharge, Dean attended Boise Junior College, graduating with an Associate of Arts (AA) Degree and taught sixth grade in Boise (1948-1949) at Washington Elementary School. He then enrolled at Utah State Agricultural College and Utah State (1948 – 1951) earning his Bachelor and Master’s degree in Elementary Education and School Administration. During this same period of time, he participated in Advanced ROTC and was commissioned as a 2 ^nd Lieutenant in the Quarter Master Corps.

The family returned to Boise and he continued his teaching experience at Jefferson Elementary as a 6 ^th grade teacher and assistant principal for the 1951-52 school year. In the next three years he taught at Whitney Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary and Longfellow Elementary schools. In 1957 he was appointed principal of Hawthorne Elementary School, serving in this capacity for 4 years.

In 1961 he was selected as the first principal for Hillside Junior High School. In 1962 he was appointed Supervisor of Junior High Schools for the Boise School District. A position he held until 1966, when he was then selected to serve as Supervisor/Curriculum Coordinator. He was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Boise School District serving in this capacity until his retirement in 1985.

He was granted a sabbatical in 1972 to complete a Doctor of Education Degree in Curriculum and Supervision, with a minor in political science at Utah State University, Logan, UT. He was, at that time, the oldest person they had enrolled in the doctoral program.

After his retirement, Dean started volunteering for AARP, first as a coordinator for their Vote Program and he eventually became the AARP Idaho Volunteer President (1995-1999), he was then selected to a six year term (January 2000 to December 2006) as the AARP Regional Volunteer Director for eleven Western States, (including Alaska and Hawaii). Dean continued to volunteer with AARP for several more years.

He was also active in several fraternal orders: Boise Elks Lodge 310 as Exalted Ruler 1980-1981, State President of the Idaho Elks Association 1988-1989. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Albion, Idaho joining in 1948, later joining the Scottish Rite and El Korah Shrine in Boise, Idaho and was active in their Player’s Unit. When the Albion Masonic Lodge closed he transferred to the Meridian Masonic Lodge becoming a 50 year member in 2008. He was also a life member of the Phi Delta Kappa international education fraternity and was presented with a 30 year Honorary Service pin. During his lifetime, he served on the Selective Service Board of Ada County, the YMCA Youth Committee and the Optimist Service Club and a member of Advisory Board for ACHD representing seniors. He served on many other committees and boards during his lifetime.

On December 30, 1989, he married Betty (Cook) Jollo in Elko, Nevada. They were married almost 28 years.

Dean loved his family, he was so proud of them. Dean loved and took great joy in building miniature Adirondack chairs for his great grandchildren. He also loved his hobbies: woodworking, fishing – especially the “Fishing with Grandpa” get togethers every year and working on his cabin.

Dean is survived by his wife Betty, his children, DeAnn, Dennis and David, grandchildren Andy (Stacy) Chatburn, Brian Chatburn, Tim (Kasi) Chatburn, Jon (Barbara) Zuibizarreta, Emily (John) Ruprecht, Joey (Kristen) Zubizarreta, Anna (Kip )Wanzer and Jennifer (Mike) Cross; and, his great grandchildren: Nica, Nora, Alex, Amy, Spencer, Major, Mila, Jules, Piper, Zac and Claire. His sister Frances Field of Grandview and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held September 22, 2017 at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. with military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery; the Indigent Fund sponsored by the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery or a charity of your choice.