ARMSTRONG, Dean L.

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Saturday, April 12, 2003 Dean L. Armstrong, born December 3, 1936 in Boise, Idaho, passed away at his Paradise Valley, AZ home one year ago, on April 12, 2002, after a valiant battle with cancer. He is survived by his devoted son and business partner Max Armstrong of Scottsdale, Az, and his loving daughter Deena and son-in-law Christopher Ebbert of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is also survived by his mother, Alice Armstrong of Sacramento, California , sister Maxine and brother-in-law Jordan Walker, sister Debra and brother-in-law John Regier, also of Sacramento, and numerous nieces and nephews. Following graduation from San Jose State College in 1960, Dean began what would be a notable life-long career in sales. During the golden era of IBM, he worked as a salesman in the Office Products Division in Sacramento, California. He quickly distinguished himself by earning recognition as a nationwide sales leader. Soon after, he was promoted to sales manager of the Sacramento office of IBM. In 1971, Dean was elevated to the position of branch manager, IBM OPD in Phoenix, AZ. From there he went on to become regional vice president of Western Union Company in the California Bay Area. His considerable talents for salesmanship later transferred to a successful career as a broker in the Valley's commercial real estate community. His passions were reading, classic cars, and gardening. For years he expressed his creative side by buying, remodeling, and restoring houses. His talents are evidenced in several Valley homes. He loved his children very much. Donations to Hospice of the Valley or American Cancer Society. Dear Daddy, It has been so long since you've gone, and I've had the hardest time writing this letter. It is impossible to distill down to a few lines the true essence of your life, and the impact you had on me. So much of what I am today was born in the lessons you shared with me over the years. Although not always easy lessons, each one has been a vital part in creating the woman that I am today, and for that I will always be grateful to you. There were so many times in the past I wished I could have eased your pain, anger, and frustration. Max was a tremendous blessing for you, and I am proud of his strength. There are so many things today I wish I could show you and share with you. Sometimes I sit on the front steps of my house, and look at the garden, and think of how much you would enjoy it. I take a walk by the creek, and think of all the times I meant to take a photo of the daffodils in Spring, or Winter's first pristine snowfall, and send it to you. Now that I am starting a new career, I'd like to call you, and share my exhilaration, and my fear...and I know you'd have some advice for me. I guess it's easy to make you perfect in my mind now that you are gone, the same way you chose to see me as perfect while you were here. And while neither of us ever was perfect, I am thankful for you as my father. I love you. Deena Courtesy of Pat Wilson.