DEAN ROBERT DRUMHELLER

                            September 2, 1951-March 26, 2026

 

 

Dean Drumheller was born September 2, 1951 in Lehighton, PA, and passed on with a presence of calm, in the morning hours of May 26 2026 at his home in Half Moon Bay, CA, with his beloved partner, Janet, as the birds outside were in full choir.

 

Dean graduated from North Penn High School in 1969 and went on to study in photography at the Antonelli Institute in Philadelphia. He was especially proud to have photographed Muhammad Ali at his training camp in Pennsylvania. 

Dean  enjoyed, retelling  Ali’s playful remark  to him, “Hey Mr. Photographer, is your shutter speed fast enough to capture my moves?” 

Dean later worked as a freelance photojournalist for the Philadelphia Bulletin.

 

He moved to Colorado and then California, when he arrived to Half Moon Bay, he said he instantly felt this was his home. 

The community embraced Dean, he had a kind and gentle spirit, keen wit, and dry sense of humor. He cultivated many enduring friendships throughout his life. He lived life on his own terms, pursuing a variety of interests and passions with enthusiasm during his life on this earth. 

His big secret ambition was to be a stand up comedian. 

Dean was known as the best HMB barista of the twentieth century, with witty and lively conversation to go with the brews at McCoffee’s. During that time he also worked for the HMB Review as a photojournalist.

 

 In the early 1990’s Dean volunteered in the Astronomy Department at City College of San Francisco, with Astronomy teacher, Darryl Stanford.  

  Astronomy was a great passion for Dean, which lead him into astrophotography, traveling to Bolivia, Hawaii, and Venezuela to photograph Total Solar Eclipses.

 Dean was hired by Professor Mohsen Janatpour, who was instrumental in establishing the astronomical observatory in 2006, at the San Mateo Community College.  Dean started as an Astronomy Lab Technician until retirement in 2015. The three men devoted to the wonders of the universe with students and the public.

Dean organized Jazz Under the Stars events at the observatory where enthusiasts could view and photograph celestial objects while listening to Jazz on the CSM Jazz radio station, KCSM.  Astronomy and Jazz his two loves.

 

Dean was the son of the late Clyde R. Drumheller and Lois A. Drumheller. He is survived by his partner Janet Jarvis of HMB CA, sister Dianne Grasse of Mesa, AZ and brother Dale Drumheller of Lower Providence, PA,  Janet's son, Adam Jarvis and affectionately known as Grandpa to Xiomara and Joaquin Jarvis HMB. CA, and his loving extended family and friends. 

 

He would be happy to know his many artistic works will grace all our lives for years to come. In remembering Dean, consider making a contribution to KPFA radio 94.1FM. or World Central Kitchen. Think of Dean next time you look up at the night sky, sharing a laugh.  Honor Dean by listening to Jazz and Voting.