Dean M. Batt, 83, of Richmond, Vermont, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2024, at The Arbors memory care home in Shelburne VT where he had resided for several years. He'll be remembered far and wide for his easygoing cheerfulness, quick wit, and ability to get along with just about anyone.

The son of Leo Batt and Marie Foehl Batt, Dean was born in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in nearby Tonawanda. After graduating from Tonawanda High School in 1959, he served three years in the U.S. Navy, then attended the State University of New York at Cortland, where he earned a B.A. in History and M.Ed. in Secondary Education. He continued his studies at Arizona State University, receiving a Doctor of Education degree in 1974.

Dean's professional journey began at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, where he rose from Assistant Professor to Chair of the Education Department to Vice President of Student Affairs. Subsequent career moves took him to Cleveland OH (Case Western Reserve University), northern New Jersey (Fairleigh Dickinson University), northern California (San Jose State University), and finally Burlington VT, where he served as Vice President of Student Affairs at the University of Vermont from 1995 to 2001.

After retirement, Dean and his wife Martha began a long "second career" of community volunteerism in their adopted hometown of Richmond, Vermont. Dean served for several years on the town's Conservation Commission, delivered Meals on Wheels, and became a stalwart volunteer guide at Richmond's National Historic Landmark, the Old Round Church.

Dean enjoyed tent-camping trips with Martha throughout the United States and Western Europe, as well as visits to his kids and grandkids in San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and Seattle. He loved UVM basketball, photography, Labrador Retrievers, shopping for Christmas presents, and impromptu picnics with Martha.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Martha Turner; his daughter Christina, son-in-law Darin and their children John, Ben and Lauren; his son Pete, daughter-in-law Lisa, and their children Danny and Lizzie; his brother and sister-in-law Jon and Mary Beth; and many nieces and nephews.

Gifts in memory of Dean Batt can be directed to the Richmond Historical Society, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and caretaker of the Old Round Church. To make a donation, please go to https://www.richmondvthistory.org/donate or send a check to the Richmond Historical Society at P.O.Box 453, Richmond VT 05477.