Sept. 18, 1953 – Dec. 8, 2019
Robert Dean Baldinger, 66, of Sweet Home passed away unexpectedly at home on December 8, 2019.
He was born Sept. 18, 1953 in Lebanon to Clayton R. and Lorene (Coonrod) Baldinger.
He was raised in Sweet Home and graduated from Sweet Home High School in 1971.
Dean met his first and only love and soulmate, Karen Scott when he was 16 years old and she was 14. They were married on Aug. 14, 1973.
They have four children and six grandchildren that meant the world to him.
Dean held many jobs during his life including: gas attendant, mill worker, roofer, manager of Sprouse-Reitz variety stores in Montpelier, Idaho; Gig Harbor, Wash.; Lebanon; and Grants Pass.
Dean and family moved back to Sweet Home in 1986.
He began working for the Sweet Home School District as an auto/metal/wood shop assistant in 1990 and then switched to custodian/maintenance, the job he held until he retired in 2016.
Dean really enjoyed making connections with high school students and the special needs kids held a special place in his heart.
He was an extrovert and never knew a stranger; he was very humble and easy to talk to. He had an amazing sense of humor and could always make people laugh or put a smile on their face.
Spending time with his family was one of his favorite things to do; including his dog, Sam.
Some of his hobbies included fishing, camping, working in his beautiful backyard, and watching television (especially Fox News, sports, true crime, and music documentaries).
Dean loved listening to music daily and had attended many concerts. Among his favorite bands were Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Bob Seger, Metallica, Shinedown, and Social Distortion.
He will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
He is survived by his wife, Karen; children Teresa and husband Cory Wilson, Rachel and husband Taylor Jackson; and Aaron Baldinger, all of Sweet Home, Courtney Baldinger and fiancé Corey Herrera of Lebanon; mother-in-law Susie Scott Davenport of Albany; and grandchildren Tori, Devin and Kendall Jackson, Trevor Wilson, and Elyse and Natalie Herrera.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Lorene Baldinger; half brother Harvey (Shelton) Burton; foster brothers Bill and Don Nigh; father-in-law Edgar Scott; and sister-in-law Connie Seward.
A Celebration of Life, with reception following, was held Dec. 15 at Sweet Home High School Cafeteria.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.