Dean Laurin was born on October 18, 1938, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Wilfrid and Wilma Laurin. He was the middle child in a family of three, with an older brother named Dale and a younger brother named David. Over the course of his lifetime, Dean bravely battled cancer multiple times, but he ultimately passed away peacefully on September 7, 2023, at his home in West Sacramento, California, surrounded by many of his beloved family members.

Dean was raised in a house in Kalamazoo that was built entirely by his father. From a young age, Dean exhibited a boundless curiosity and an adventurous spirit, exploring the area with his brothers, fishing and water-skiing in the local watering holes and participating in wrestling and playing the trumpet at school. His insatiable passion for science led him to pursue higher education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he met Pushpamala Laurin, a fellow student, in the undergraduate library during their graduate programs. Dean was captivated by her exotic culture, beauty, and gregarious personality. As they moved on with their studies into doctorates and post-doctorate work, they eventually married at the Unitarian Church in Ann Arbor in 1964. Dean received a B.S. in chemistry and a Ph.D in chemical engineering. He often said this was his proudest achievement.

Dean devoted more than three decades of his professional life to Baxter Laboratories, where he garnered numerous patents and awards for his groundbreaking research in biomaterials engineering. He spent long days and nights at the lab, completely absorbed in his work and leaving an indelible impact on countless lives worldwide. His colleagues continued to call upon his expertise long into his retirement.

Beyond his scientific pursuits, Dean developed a deep love for sailing, owning several sailboats during his lifetime. He even embarked on a daring voyage across Lake Michigan with friends, an adventure that concluded with a dramatic water rescue after their boat capsized in a storm. Despite this setback, his fascination with heavy-weather sailing remained undiminished, and he delved into extensive reading on the subject. Dean and Mala embarked on numerous global journeys, including a round-the-world trip shortly after their marriage.

Dean and Mala welcomed two children into their lives, Nicole, a criminal court judge and professional musician, and Erik, an emergency room physician and professor, both of whom followed in their parents' footsteps by attending the University of Michigan. Dean was also a deeply involved grandfather, helping raise Nicole's twins, Margo and Zoe, during their formative years and spending quality time with Erik's son James throughout his childhood. Dean possessed a tender heart and boundless patience for the vulnerable, including the young, elderly, infirm, and animals. All three grandchildren remained close to Dean until the end of his life.

Throughout their 59 years together, Dean's love for Mala seemed to only grow stronger. He often commented on her strength and ability to draw people together, her ability to keep their daily lives in order while he focused on the subjects that mattered to him. They made a formidable team, and he seemed to appreciate this unique bond more and more as they entered retirement, sailed their boat to Mexico for many months, and continued their adventures, both big and small, together. They continued to go for daily walks together around their neighborhood until the very end.

Dean was a profound thinker with strong opinions on many subjects, often able to vigorously argue both sides of an issue. He researched not only subjects related to his work but almost any topic that came before him, writing and reading volumes of material - from notes written on index cards he kept in his pockets to hundreds of hardcover textbooks lining the shelves of his office - over the course of his life. He often left underlined journal articles on the kitchen table, hoping that the topic would spark the interest of his kids or others in the house.

Dean dedicated his life to educating those around him about chemistry, health, nutrition, and critical thinking. He vehemently opposed conformity and readily expressed his beliefs, even in the face of staunch opposition or societal expectations to the contrary. At the core of his scholarly pursuits and teaching was a profound concern for the well-being of others. He wished for everyone to enjoy optimal physical health, fair treatment, and thoughtful analysis of every issue. Few things exasperated him more than witnessing these values overlooked or dismissed.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, Dean’s family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, as that would have been his strong desire. He was not one for ceremony, and this obituary is his family’s way of honoring him in a way he might have appreciated.

There was never anyone like him, and never will be again. Dean’s genius and kindness will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

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