Dean Ladd, Lt. Col., USMCR Ret., and founding member of the Ice Age Floods Institute passed away on August 17, 2022 at the age of 101 at his home in Spokane, Washington. He was born in Spokane and enlisted at 18 in the Marine Corps. He saw intense WWII fighting during combat on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian. He served with the Second Marine Division as a platoon and company commander. His experiences led him to write his book, Faithful Warriors, to remember his fallen comrades. It was published in 2009 by the US Naval Institute Press.
At the time of his death, he was the oldest retired marine. Ladd received a field commission and saw extensive WWII combat in the Pacific with the Second Marine Division at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian. He was wounded three times, the most seriously during the landing at Tarawa. He received a Purple Heart at Tarawa and a second one at Saipan as well as numerous other honors during his lifetime.
Dean returned home after the war and earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State College (now University) in 1947. His civilian occupation was in engineering and management with Kaiser Aluminum, North American Rockwell and Lockheed Missiles and Space. He was President of the Lockheed National Management Association.
Dean and Vera built their dream home in the hills of Spokane Valley. They had three daughters, Kathleen and Michele (twins), and Janet. Dean stayed very active with the Marine Corps Reserve Association and the Ice Age Floods Institute during its creation in 1994. He also was a founding member of the Cheney-Spokane Chapter in 2003. He volunteered extensively with both organizations and was always present at events where he was a friendly greeter and story teller until his health caused him to stay at home and write. Over his lifetime, he wrote three books and 29 manuscripts while pursuing his hobbies of genealogy, Marine Corps reunions, history, and geology. He is greatly missed.
Much more information about his life and works can be found at this link:
web: http://theworksofdeanladd.yolasite.com
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HazenJaegerValley.com
Written by Melanie Bell, President, IAFI Cheney-Spokane Chapter