Dean L. Mensa's Obituary
Dean L. Mensa, 84, died at home on July 8, 2023 surrounded by the love of family. After a year-long battle with declining health, Dean ultimately succumbed to lung cancer. He was born March 13, 1939 in Pinerolo, Italy, the only child of Giovanni Mensa and Ida Elizabeth Rossi.In 1951, at age 12, Dean and his mother immigrated from Italy to the United States where they took up residence in Los Angeles. Dean graduated from Belmont High School, Class of 1957. During this time, he met and courted Judith Harris. However, he had to show a little persistence - she turned him down for a first date at the Original Tommy's in Los Angeles. Later that evening, Dean himself went to Tommy's and found Judy eating there with her friend. As it turned out, she did not want to eat a messy burger in front of him; he never let her forget. Dean, age 21, and Judy, age 18, were married on June 26, 1960 and marked their 63rd wedding anniversary just before Dean's passing. Dean attended Ventura College part time while working at Pacific Missile Test Center, Point Mugu. In the evenings he enjoyed going to Foster's Freeze in Ventura with his roommate. Ever the practical joker, they once put a large tumbleweed in their neighbor's backyard - he always thought that one clever. While working and welcoming a family of three children over the years, Dean completed his Master's degree in electrical engineering from UCLA in 1961 and his Doctorate degree in electrical engineering from UCSB in 1980. He was a pioneer in developing the specialized field of high resolution radar imaging. He retired from government service in 1994 but continued to provide his expertise as a private consultant until 2015. Dean was well known, both professionally and personally, for his keen intelligence, wisdom, curiosity, creativity, and practical problem-solving skills. He remained a forefront contributor to the advancement of his professional field with five patents and two published books. While his intellect and practical skills were standout strengths, he is best remembered for his personal character. Dean demonstrated unwavering commitment to his faith in God, staunch integrity, unsurpassed wit and humor, authentic compassion, boundless generosity, dedication to family and a profound ability to experience contentment in the simple pleasures of life. His children recall seeing him fix radios and sundry gadgets after work for an elderly lady he cared for, put down the pencil on his doctoral work in the middle of the night to care for a child who was feeling sick or had a bad dream, and build (for the most part with his own two hands) a vacation home in the mountains in which to spend quality time with his family on weekends. He adored animals of all kinds and frequently brought home critters that needed nurturing. Later in life he befriended the hummingbirds in his yard having one once land on his finger. Dean was both a perpetual teacher as well as student of life and forever willing to lend a helping hand or listening ear. He will forever be held in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.Dean is survived by his wife, Judy, of Ventura; daughters Denise Mensa-Cohen (husband Jeff) of Florida and Deborah DeWitt (husband Sheldon) of Colorado; son, Dino Mensa (wife Anjanette) of Ventura; six grandchildren: Adena Patten, Steve Coleman, Katelyn Kadowaki, Anthony Cabebe, Blaine Mensa, Elisabeth Mensa; and, one great-grandchild, Brynn Coleman.A private memorial will be held July 28, 2023 at 2:00 pm in the chapel at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, California. Open gathering beginning at 3:00 pm for friends and family at Ventura Jubilee Fellowship (1956 Palma Drive, Suite A, in Ventura, California).
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