Dean A. Roork

Dean A. Roork, age 81, of Green Bay, WI, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at St. Vincent Hospital, surrounded by family. He was born June 14, 1945, in Woodbury, NJ, son of the late Thomas and Muriel (Brandenburg) Roork.

Dean was a 1963 graduate of Bridgeton High School in Bridgeton, NJ. He completed the Electrical Engineering Program in 1965 at Salem County Tech in Penns Grove, NJ. He accomplished all of this while working full time and serving in the Army National Guard. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, in 1973. His career began in Pennsylvania and brought him to many other cities and states, including Sandusky, OH, Dallas, TX, and eventually Green Bay, WI. Dean was employed by Georgia-Pacific (formerly known as American Can, James River, and Fort James), retiring after many decades of dedicated service.

Dean married his childhood friend, Kathryn “Kathy” Coombs, on May 21, 1966, in Elmer, NJ. They shared 61 years of marriage, blessed with two children.

Dean enjoyed spending time outdoors and participating in a variety of activities. He was a natural tinkerer who loved figuring out how things worked and fixing just about anything. Truly a “jack of all trades,” there wasn’t much Dean couldn’t do when he put his mind to it. If something needed fixing or a project needed tackling, Dean was always ready to give it a try. If he didn’t already know how to do something, he would figure it out. Since retiring, one of Dean’s greatest passions was being actively involved with GBMAC, where he enjoyed flying his model airplanes and sharing his love of the hobby with others. Retirement gave him the opportunity to spend more time doing what he loved, connecting with fellow enthusiasts, and continuing to learn and explore new interests.

Those who knew Dean will also remember his unmistakable stubborn German spirit. Once he made up his mind, there wasn’t much chance of changing it! He knew what he liked, believed in doing things his own way, and wasn’t afraid to share his opinions. That determination, along with his sense of humor, brought plenty of laughs, a few debates, and countless memories for those closest to him.

Above all, Dean treasured his family. He was especially proud of his two grandsons, Tyler and Kaden, who held a very special place in his heart. Being their Papa was a role he cherished, and the memories they shared will remain with them throughout their lives. Whether through time spent together, lessons learned, stories shared, or simply his example of figuring things out and never giving up, Dean leaves a lasting piece of himself with both boys.

Dean is survived by his wife, Kathy; his daughter, Brandi (Chris) Strege; and grandsons, Tyler and Kaden. He is further survived by his sister, Donna (Ken) Dolbow; his brother-in-law, Ed (Mary) Coombs; and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Jeff Roork; and his sister, Betty Roork.

Dean’s family would like to thank Dr. Thurlow and the Fresenius staff, as well as the nursing staff at St. Vincent Hospital, for their care and compassion. Thank you also to Unity Hospice for their care and advocacy during Dean’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity in Dean’s honor.