We are sad to announce that Dr. Robert G. Dean passed away at his home on 28 February 2015. He died suddenly from pneumonia, and his death was a shock to all those who knew him. Bob was an associate editor of the Journal of Coastal Research (JCR) since 1996. He subsequently became a trustee of the Coastal Education and Research Foundation (CERF) in 2011. As an early supporter of the JCR and later as a trustee, Bob played a pivotal role in the development of our research journal and nonprofit foundation. One of Bob's remarkable attributes was that he never refused to review a paper that was contributed to the JCR. As busy as he was with his own research and duties at the University of Florida in Gainesville, he always managed to find the time to help authors improve their work. His attitude and participation in the peer review process reflected his commitment to the advancement of science and engineering. His ceaseless commitment to coastal research and primarily to beaches was reflected in his many professional publications and service on panels, boards, and committees. Bob is remembered by many for his sage advice on a plethora of issues related to beach replenishment (renourishment) and his testimony as an expert witness for the State of Florida on many occasions.

For someone who accomplished so much in the coastal engineering profession and who left such a wonderful legacy in the form of the many graduate students that he mentored, it is difficult not to heap more accolades on such an accomplished researcher. From the perspective of the JCR and CERF, we can only say that it was an honor and privilege to have worked with Dr. Dean. As a giant in the field, his accomplishments are revered and remembered as goals for others to strive for. Perhaps the most remarkable or laudable attribute of his personality was the fact that Bob, in addition to being an eminent scholar, was always a gentleman. He was a gracious individual who could be charming even under rather tense or contentious situations. This cordiality and respect for others' opinions and personalities says a lot about this man's character. He was a pleasure to work with and professional associations with him were always learning experiences. The latter was so because Bob was always a teacher at heart. He was in fact a teacher par excellence as it was in his nature to help explain how things work in the coastal zone.

Bob Dean will always be remembered as a scholar and a gentleman. He was the epitome of both admirable traits that most academicians aspire to. The coastal research community owes much to this engineering specialist who was able to bridge the gap to other subdisciplines such as marine biology (e.g., access to renourished beaches by sea turtles), coastal geology and geomorphology (erosion-sedimentation processes), and littoral legal issues such as those associated with coastal construction control (set back) lines. The professional career of this great research scientist and engineer helped to set the stage for shore protection via beach renourishment in the United States and elsewhere around the coastal ocean.

We thus fondly recall Bob Dean as a friend and colleague who was a guiding light to us all. Although we will miss you Bob, we will remember. We will gratefully remember everything you unselfishly gave to us in the spirit of cooperation and collegiality. Farewell, my friend.