Dean Wanzek

Dean Patrick Wanzek, 56, Vallejo, California passed away peacefully in his home, on September 19, 2021, after a two-year battle with cancer. He was born at Trinity Hospital in Jamestown, North Dakota on March 5, 1965.  Dean graduated from Jamestown High School in 1983.  He also attended Montana State University in Bozeman receiving both his Bachelor and Masters of Science degrees in Civil Engineering in 1992.

Dean began his career in Sacramento, California at CH2M Hill, where he worked as a civil engineer for 8 years.  He designed a variety of projects including bridges, tunnels, roadways and other structures.  In 1999, he joined Chow Engineering in Oakland, California where he worked for 20 years until the present day as the Senior Professional Engineer. Dean provided his expertise in design engineering and construction of civil works, specialty structures and building facilities.  He also provided oversight on quality to ensure compliance and contractor performance with the customer. Dean was highly regarded for his work and described as “brilliant” and “an outstanding man” by his colleagues.

Dean had a heart of gold and he was admired for his ability to live life in the present moment. He loved Jamba Juice, ice cream, biking, amusement parks, especially roller coasters, and taking photos.  He also loved talking about all things “natural” and to share his love of nature with everyone when he had the chance. Dean was so very proud of each and every one of his nieces and nephews and talked about them often.  He always encouraged others to follow their dreams, never hesitated to help another person and would do anything for them even if they were a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his father, Richard Wanzek, his sister, Baby Wanzek along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends, and other relatives.  He is survived by his mother, Alice Wanzek (Wahl), his life-long friend, Hunter Jones, his brothers, Dwane (Joan) Wanzek, Mike Wanzek, and Dennis (Mari) Wanzek, his three sisters, Patty Wanner (Ralph), Lisa Reich (Troy) and Kristi Oscarson Wanzek (Mike), his 10 nephews, Joe, Jeremy, Levi, Matthew, Michael, Riley, Simon, Zac, Zeb, and Ethan, and his 8 nieces, Stacy, Alicia, Crystal, Ashley, Tawni, Mabel, Hannah and Abby.  He was also survived by Tiger, Spot, and Ferdy. 

A private family memorial will take place in Windsor, ND in the near future. 

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