Dean Pinney Phypers, of Vero Beach FL and Manchester VT, passed away peacefully at home in Vero Beach on December 19, 2025.

Dean was born January 13, 1929 in Cleveland OH to Grace Pinney and Fordham Sutcliff Phypers. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years “Connie,” nee Mary Conway Pendleton, 3 half-sisters, 8 children and step-children, 16 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Dean was predeceased by two wives—Margaret Anderson Phypers and Janet Thatcher Phypers—2 sisters and a granddaughter..

Dean and Connie raised their blended family in New Canaan, CT where they lived for 35 years. They retired to Dorset, VT in 2001 but began wintering in Vero Beach FL in 1989. They soon became FL residents, spending 34 years at John’s Island before relocating to the Oak Harbor Club in 2023.

Dean attended primary and high schools in Willoughby OH, where he was active in sports and leadership. He won a scholarship to Harvard University, graduated with a BS in Physics, and attended graduate school at the University of Michigan Business School. Harvard, he always said, changed his life. Throughout his school years he worked—as a paperboy, janitor, road hand, factory worker, butcher’s apprentice, cabinet-maker. He built experimental psychology mazes for B.F.Skinner, waited tables, drove a taxi, nursed a paraplegic professor and mowed lawns.

Dean was a talented athlete. And he thrived on competition —on the court or the course where, in his words, he was unfortunately “of less than Olympic quality.” But he loved skiing, tennis, paddle tennis, golf and croquet. He enjoyed hunting in VT and flying his Cessna 182 for the years he owned it. Dean was a strategic and astute card player, be it poker, cribbage, bridge or gin rummy. He loved winning—but always with humor and a twinkle in his eye. He dabbled in wood carving, wrote travelogs and poetry, and encouraged his family to be creative. In his last days Dean still did the NYT puzzles every day.

Dean was in the Navy, first in NROTC from 1948-52, then active duty during the Korean War though he served as Supply Officer on ships in the Atlantic. He remained in the Naval Reserves until 1962.

Leaving the service in 1955, Dean joined the IBM Company as a sales trainee with an aptitude for early binary programming. He rose rapidly through the ranks from sales to personal assistant to the then CEO Thomas J. Watson, Jr. He was elected to the IBM Board of Directors and was made a Senior VP. He was VP of Finance and Planning, then CFO, and served on the 5-man Management Committee. His final job was overseeing all of the International business. During these years Dean also worked with the U.S Treasury, SEC, and Congressional authorities in Washington, D.C. He was on the corporate boards of American International Group, Church & Dwight, Bethlehem Steel, Newsbank, Cytogen and Cambrex. He was active with Harvard Alumni. He was a Trustee on the Committee for Economic Development, the US Chamber of Commerce and the National Planning Association. He was a former president of the John’s Island Property Owners Association, well as a committee member or chair of numerous national local groups and clubs.

Dean was a Cubmaster, Sunday school teacher, a founder of the New Canaan High School Scholarship March, was on the boards of A Better Chance and the New Canaan Nature Center, and was an advisor to the Environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach.

Beginning in the 80’s and continuing through 2018 Dean and Connie travelled the world, some of their most memorable trips being Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Scotland and Ireland.

Dean was a past member of the Country Club of New Canaan and the John’s Island Club. At the time of his death he was a member of Ekwanok Country Club (VT), Riomar Country Club (FL) and the Oak Harbor Club (FL).

A man who persevered though hard times early in his life, he made it his mission to take care of others. His large and extended family are testament to a task well done. They dearly love and respect him. Dean was a deeply private man, and in accordance with his wishes, a remembrance service will be private.

In his memory donations can be made to the VNA of the Treasure Coast or any charity that is close to your heart.