Dean Burbank

Lakeland - Dean Burbank, age 80, passed away April 30, 2024, at Bartow Regional Medical Center. He was born on April 30, 1944, in Pleasantville, IA to the late Russel Merton Burbank & Mary Evelyn Burbank. He graduated from Pleasantville High School in 1962, St. Bernard College in 1967 with a BA in Mathematics and University of Alabama in 1979 with a MS in Applied Mathematics. He was a United States Air Force Veteran serving as a B52 Navigator Bombardier in Vietnam. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his Heroism in Operation Linebacker II in 1972. A well-loved Professor of Math, he taught for 26 years at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, FL. While teaching at Gulf Coast he served as the Brain Bowl Coach and in 2008 he was inducted in the Florida Community College Activities Association Hall of Fame. He also taught at the University of Alabama, Florida State University, University of Tampa, Florida Southern College, and Florida Polytechnic University. He enjoyed sailing, scuba diving, and traveling throughout his life. He will be most remembered for his quick wit, jokes, love of math, and the quality time he spent with family. His departure comes as a great shock and he will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his sister Elaine Burbank Moeller. He is survived by his loving family that includes his wife of 38 years Vivian Burbank, children Charles Burbank, William Burbank, Steven Mattingley (Lori) & Lisa Turturro (Mark), grandchildren Jackson Mattingley, Kevin Mattingley, Hailey Turturro, Kendall Turturro & Nathan Turturro, half-brother James Burbank and half-sisters Sue Carter & Jeannie Sargent. Graveside Service will be held Monday, June 3, 2024, at 10:30 AM at Florida National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made on the behalf of Dean to the Gulf Coast State College Foundation, 5230 West Highway 98, Panama City, Florida 32401 or www.gcscfoundation.org/memorials/. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com