Dean Calvin Dodge, 95, died Thursday (March 17, 2022) at
Homestead Health Center in Wichita KS. Dean was born on November 21, 1926, in
Kansas City, Kansas to Clifford and Dorthea (Johnson) Dodge. In 1944, he
graduated from Topeka High School and then was drafted into the military,
serving in both the Army and the Air Force with his twin brother, Dale. Dean
worked for the BNSF railroad for many years as an auditor. He retired from BNSF
and worked for Topeka Public Television for several years. Dean loved classical
music, playing the violin and the oboe throughout his lifetime. During his time
with the Topeka Symphony, he developed reeds made from milo stalks. The reeds
provided a different tone for the oboe and clarinet; and were used by his peers
in various musical performances while he lived in Topeka. Also, while in
Topeka, Dean was known for the gooseberries he grew. A local diner would make
pies from his gooseberries. Gooseberry pie remained his favorite along with
strawberry rhubarb. After moving to Kansas Christian Home Independent Living in
Newton, Dean sang in the choir of the First Christian Church in Newton for many
years.
Dean is survived by his brother, Larry Dodge of Waterloo,
Iowa. He was preceded in by his parents and his twin brother, Dale Dodge.
There will be a grave-side burial later in the year at Mt.
Hope Cemetery in Topeka. Memorials may be sent to First Christian Church, 102 E
1st St., Newton KS 67114.
