Howard and Rita Dean
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – Howard and Rita Dean’s lives have not been made into a movie, which is not to say they could not be. The couple, who signed up to live at Park Springs Continuing Care Retirement Community in December of 1999, and moved in when it opened in August of 2004, has always lived life to the fullest. It is a life which has taken them all over the world.
A solider in the US Army during WWII, Howard was stationed in the Philippines and Japan for more than four years where he served in a classified position as a radar officer with the Electronic Training Group, a new and secret unit in the US Army. Shortly after the war ended, Dean returned to Manila where he was once again stationed. While working as part of an operation to help remove troops and equipment, he met his wife Rita, a 17 year old who had just spent the past four years under brutal Japanese occupation for women and children during the War. Rita was assisting the military in a clerical position.
“I was immediately attracted to her,” said Howard. “I thought she was a tough, intelligent young gal.”
“We worked together,” recalls Rita. “I thought he was a nice, handsome guy.”
After a short courtship, the couple married, however three months following their wedding, Howard was forced to return to the states because of an illness.
“I had a horrible illness, and they told me if I did not return back to the states, I would die,” said Howard.
The two corresponded during this time by writing letters back and forth. It wasn’t until three months later, that Rita made the journey from the Philippines to Atlanta.
“I was on a ship for 21 days,” recalls Rita. “I then had to take a train from Oakland to Atlanta which took six days. When I arrived in Atlanta, I was scared to meet his family. I was only 18 years old.”
Over the next couple of decades, Howard settled in as a professional, a career that saw him spend a majority of his time working at Scientific Atlanta and at the Research Institute at Georgia Tech.
Upon retiring from his career in research, the Deans’ who resided in Smoke Rise Golf and Country Club in Stone Mountain learned about a new community in Stone Mountain that catered to active adults 62 and above.
“When we learned about Park Springs, there was nothing to see at the time,” remembers Dean. “We were able to grasp the concept by viewing one of the models and as it turns out, we made the right decision.”
A year after moving into the continuing care community, Howard suffered a stroke, but because of the support of his wife, community, friends and family, the couple continues to enjoy life and all of the activities and amenities that Park Springs has to offer.
“All of the Members here have a lot in common,” said Howard. “We all know about the 20’s, 30’s and the WWII. There are a lot of veterans in this community.”
For the couple that has traveled all over the world, settling into Park Springs has been an ideal situation. They were attracted to Park Springs because of its amenities, dining options and activities.
They enjoy spending time with their neighbors and partaking in the numerous activities that Park Springs has to offer. Rita is currently involved with numerous committees at Park Springs including the Leisure Activities Committee and Employee Appreciation Committee. She also donates her time at Park Springs’ market. In her spare time, she enjoys playing bridge in Park Springs’ specially designed Bridge Room.
“My wife is involved in a lot of activities,”
About Park Springs
The Southeast's premier CCRC, Park Springs enhances life for active seniors by providing independent residences alongside extensive amenities and on-site wellness and private health care facilities. The 398-home campus-style community is situated on 54 acres surrounded by Stone Mountain Park. A 64-suite health center provides assisted living, skilled nursing and dementia/Alzheimer's care. The campus style community boasts a 50,000 square foot
Clubhouse serving meals in four themed dining rooms daily and a 12,000 square foot fitness center with an indoor swimming pool. The Seniors Housing Council of the National Association of Home Builders named Park Springs a Platinum winner. Park Springs is developed by Isakson Living and managed by Life Care Services LLC (LCS), a leader in senior living communities. LCS today serves more than 23,000 residents daily in over 80 communities nationwide. For more information on Park Springs, call 770-879-5006, 800-267-7126 or visit www.parkspringscommunities.com.
About Park Springs’ Health Services
Cobblestone, Park Spring’s assisted living facility, offers the highest quality medical, nursing and rehabilitative care in a residential environment. Our Resident Centered model provides Members flexibility in their daily activities embracing individuality while focusing on all aspects of
wellness. Staffing ratios are three times greater than state required levels. A full time doctor trained as a geriatrician whose sole responsibility is the health of our Members is employed on site. A clinic staffed by our own full time Licensed Nurse Practitioner performs routine check ups, tests and lab work. Our doctor, clinic and skilled care are all Medicare certified. Home care services are provided by trained staff employed directly by our communities, licensed by the state, bonded and insured only after undergoing strict screening processes.
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