Lasting Memories

Dean Seidner Burgi
Aug. 3, 1958-Nov. 18, 2016
Sunnyvale, California
Submitted by Peggy Ripley

Dean S. Burgi, 58, died on Nov. 18, in Santa Clara. He was born in Ogden, Utah. He received his bachelor's degree from George Mason University in 1982, where he discovered the theater and dance department, distracting him somewhat from his scientific endeavors. He went on to earn his masters in 1985 and Ph.D. in 1987 in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Wyoming.

He moved to Palo Alto in 1988 for a Post-Doctoral position at Stanford University and immediately became immersed in theater with the Menlo Players Guild (MPG). He served in many roles over the years with MPG until its demise in 2001. Dean acted, directed, danced, choreographed, wrote, produced, built, lit and performed in, on and for countless productions at MPG, Santa Clara Players, Hillbarn, Festival Theatre Ensemble and Pear Avenue theaters, among others.

He was featured in The Menlo Park Almanac numerous times, including an article on June 14, 2000 (almanacnews.com/morgue/2000/2000_06_14.snap14.html) He even appeared on the front page.

Dean performed a couple of years in the Redwood City July 4th Parade as Uncle Sam, riding the gigantic Directors Chair on the Menlo Players Guild float.

While following his artistic pursuits, Dean also made advances on the scientific front. He was involved in cutting-edge work on the Human Genome Project and worked at many start-up companies in the Bio-Tech Field. He has numerous patents and scientific papers to his name.

Dean was renowned among his friends and family for his culinary skills, and he loved creating new dishes for them to enjoy.

Dean is survived by his three children, Madeline Burgi, Max Burgi and Elliott Burgi, of Santa Rosa; his girlfriend, Diane Hirschon of San Jose; his ex-wife, Peggy Ripley of Santa Rosa; his Sister Carla (Joe) Windham of Johnson City, Tennessee; his brother, Tony (Laura) Burgi of Macomb Township, Michigan; three nieces, two nephews and numerous cousins.