Remembering Dean Furbush

Dean Furbush

November 18, 1958 - July 28, 2023

Dean Furbush devoted his life to helping other people fulfill their potential. His personal mission statement in his own words, was to help others recognize their “inestimable worth.” He acted on this conviction every day through generous listening and joyful encouragement as a partner, father, friend, mentor and in the many leadership positions he held.

Dean was born in Seattle on November 18, 1958, where he lived until attending boarding school in England, an experience that gave him a sense of being a citizen of the world. At the University of Washington, he met and married Helen Holcomb, and together they raised four children, Julie Schoening (Dan), Jamie Schroeder (Ryan), Lauren Eichar (Jamie) and Ross Furbush.

Dean went on to complete a PhD in Economics from the University of Maryland. His wide ranging career included positions at the Center for Naval Analysis, and the White House. He held senior leadership positions at Nasdaq, Economists Inc, Fresh Direct, ScrollMotion, FoodKick and Advatix. He served as cofounder, board member and President of Peer Forward (formerly College Summit), an organization focused on college access for disadvantaged youth, and as a board member of the Solutions Journalism Network, an organization seeking to transform the global news ecosystem. His drive to stand up to tyranny inspired him to help found and serve as a board member of Ukrainian Patriot, which provides logistical support to Ukrainians on the front lines of the war.

Dean was an athlete who loved soccer, rugby, tennis and riding his bike all over New York City. Particularly his love of soccer was passed on to his kids and any family trip, holiday, or gathering included family soccer matches.

During the past nine years, Dean lived with his partner, Darlene Mutchmore Darrow, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He and Dar loved taking endless walks around New York, always seeking new discoveries. Dean delighted in being a father and grandfather, making frequent trips to visit all seven grandchildren on the West Coast, Wesley, Teele, Skye, Braham, Braden, Blakely and Avett.

He is also survived by sisters Angela Currie (Stuart), Julie Roe, Susie Crowninshield (George), Martha Ingalls and Trudy Shroup, and many nieces and nephews.

Dean had a relentlessly optimistic spirit. His hopes for the world were grounded in three key changes, which he felt would improve the world. The rise of women in positions of power, the possibility for elevating consciousness on a broad scale, and the potential to rebuild trust through greater transparency.

Dean was devoted to his family, friends and colleagues and made himself available at all times, sharing his love of poetry, cheerful humor, inexhaustible curiosity and loving heart. He lived life with a sense of wonder and awe. He is deeply missed.

Dean Furbush joined SJN’s board of directors in 2014 and served for nine years, including as Board Chair.