William R. Dean, a leader in the incentive industry for more than 30 years, died Aug. 14 in New Canaan, CT. He was 78.
Dean was a past president of the National Premium Sales Executives—and a certified incentive professional of that association—and founded one of the first national rep firms in the industry, R&D Associates, in 1966.
He also went on to found NEMA, based in Norwalk, which wrote marketing plans for manufacturers entering the premium incentive and promotional products industry. He retired about 10 years ago after suffering a stroke, his son Rick Dean said.
“Bill Dean left his friends in the incentive industry with many, many stories and great memories,” said Howard Henry, the executive director of the Incentive Federation. “Bill was from the “old school” in the best definition of that phrase.”
A memorial service took place Aug. 20.
In addition to his son Rick, Dean is survived by his wife, Joann Dean, two sons, John and Chris and two daughters, Debbie and Dana. Contributions can be made to the Waveny Care Center, 3 Farm Road, New Canaan, CT, 06840, in Bill Dean’s name.
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