Meet Our Staff: Dean Hamlin

Posted by'Remembering Columbia' MuseumPosted inNews releases

The Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum is proud to work with a team of professional staff and dedicated volunteers who support our mission to create science and technology-inspiring learning opportunities for children and adults.

Dean Hamlin is one of our dedicated docents at the museum. He is a front-line representative for the museum, leading guided tours and assisting with daily operations.

His family moved to the shores of Lake Sam Rayburn in 2024 from the Dallas area after his wife retired.

Dean says he loves the kind, genuine people who live here.

“No one is a stranger, even if this is the first time meeting.” 

Since starting at the museum, Dean has proven to be an asset in many areas. He says the Night At The Museum events have been among his favorites.

“I have really enjoyed learning about the outpouring of support, comradery and togetherness of this East Texas community in a time of disaster. Every day brings a new learned detail — either from reading from the museum’s library or from guests.”

Fun facts about Dean:

  • Born and raised in Santa Rosa, CA, just north of San Francisco, Population 176K; home to famed “Peanuts” cartoonist, Charles M. Schulz
  • Married 29 years to a native Deep East Texan, Kimberly
  • 2 children, Nichole, 36; Corey, 34
    • Nikki lives in Nevada with her husband, Phil, a Captain in the Army
    • Corey lives in Santa Rosa, CA
  • An older brother, Russ (my best friend), both worked at City of Santa Rosa
  • Parents married 60+ years
  • Retired in 2020 after 30+ years from City of Santa Rosa in the Parks & Recreation Department
  • Licensed pyrotechnician, loved hand lighting numerous 4th of July shows
  • Forever a cat person, current cat is Maggie
  • Loved discovering I really am a dog person after adopting Willie, our Chihuahua / Rat Terrier 

The Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum ‘Remembering Columbia’ serves as a memorial to the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy and as an educational facility dedicated to creating science and technology-inspiring learning opportunities for children and adults. Learn more at www.NASAColumbiaMuseum.com.

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Published by 'Remembering Columbia' Museum

The Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum 'Remembering Columbia,' located in Hemphill, Texas, serves as a memorial to the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy and as an educational facility dedicated to creating science and technology-inspiring learning opportunities for children and adults.