Dean Otis Cliver

Dr. Dean Otis Cliver, born March 2, 1935, died Monday, May 16, 2011, at his home in Davis.

A graduate of Purdue University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Dean completed his Ph.D. at Ohio State University in the spring of 1959. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin in Madison in the Food Research Institute from 1962 to 1995 and was a professor at UC Davis from 1995 to 2008, continuing as a professor emeritus until his recent illness.

Dean was a respected and widely published member of the worldwide scientific community, with his work taking him to countries in Europe, Asia, North and South America. In his work with foodborne diseases Dean was often called for information by members of the media, as he was known for his ability to make science understandable to non-scientists.

Dean was taken from us as the result of an intense bout with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Carolyn Elaine Cliver; his children Blanche “B.C.” Cliver (Margaret Cliver), Frederick Cliver (Laurie Galvan), Carl Cliver (Robert McKinney), Marguerite “Mickey” Cliver, Yadata Tadassa and Deirdre “Deedee” Horton; and his grandchildren Da’Vonn and Deon Cliver.

Services for Dean will be held at noon on Friday, May 20, at the Wiscombe Funeral Home, 116 D St. in Davis. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or the Southern Poverty Law Center.