DEAN BLIETZ, PA-C
October 24, 1947 - July 2nd, 2008

FAPA recently learned of the untimely loss of one of its members, a Community Activist and Ft. Myers Physician Assistant, Dean Blietz. Blietz was only 60 years old, found murdered in his home Wednesday, July 2nd. Authorities apprehended the criminal who confessed to the crime, a man who sadly was one of the many that Blietz was trying to help.

Dean Blietz worked as a PA in surgery in Michigan from 1976-1987, and in Ft. Myers, Florida from 1987 to 1996. From 1996-2001, he provided health care to migrant workers and the underprivileged in a Venice, Florida community. He continued his humanitarian work for the underserved by offering volunteer services to the Southwest Florida community, supporting and donating his time to multiple organizations, including the Resource Network for Offenders, Neighborhood Accountability Board, Restorative Accountability Board, HIV/AIDS Leadership Commission for the National Black Catholic Congress, Cultural Competency for VISTA, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Homeless Coalition, Board of Directors for Family Health Centers, Executive Committee of the Lee County Branch of the NAACP, Shady Rest Care Pavilion, the Guardian Ad Litem Program, Voices for Kids, St. Peter Claver Catholic Mission, and his own organization, CHAINS, Inc. Up to the time of his death, he also served as the Director of Evangelization at St. Peter Claver Catholic Mission, and worked for Vista Behavioral Crisis Services and Health Services of Central Florida.

CHAINS, Inc (Caring Has Always Initiated Necessary Services) was founded by Blietz in 2004 and provided services for ex-offenders and recently released inmates. His obituary remarked, “Dean's dream in life was to create a network of resources that would help ex-offenders re-enter the community and become productive members of society. Dean received daily letters and phone calls from friends and strangers who were incarcerated throughout the United States. He provided these individuals with spiritual and emotional support by answering every letter he received. He also spent much of his time writing letters to and on behalf of death row inmates throughout the country.” As part of his program to help recently released inmates, Blietz often offered them room and board in his own home. Tragically, one of these criminals that Blietz had offered his home to was the man who took this hero’s life.

Many folks in FAPA leadership were unaware of Blietz. That is because he was a very humble man who never drew attention to himself in a way that would allow others to give him the kind of recognition he deserved. His passion for helping others in need and giving everyone he met compassion and forgiveness far outweighed any desire to be recognized for his good deeds. For that reason, many of us never knew of this great man. Dean Blietz will be deeply missed by all who knew him and whose lives were forever touched by him, and several folks, including myself, feel deep remorse that we didn’t have the privilege to know him personally. On behalf of the entire FAPA leadership, I extend our condolences on the loss of this exceptional human being.

The following is Dean's obituary from the Fort Myers News Press:

Dean Blietz was born on October 24, 1947 to Giles and Dorothy Blietz of Monona, Iowa. Dean is survived by his daughter, Tara Blietz, three brothers, Roger (Helen) Blietz, Rickey (Laurie) Blietz, and Kevin Blietz, and one sister, Marleen (Gary) Moritz. He is also survived by several nieces and nephew, great-nieces and nephew, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Gary Blietz, and one sister, Elaine Blietz.

Dean joined the Navy in 1968, and he was honorably discharged in 1974. That same year he received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Iowa. Prior to receiving his degree from the University of Iowa, he was a Brother of the Holy Cross at Notre Dame. In 1976, he earned a second Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Dean received his Masters Degree in Pastoral Theology from the Blessed Edmund Rice School (Barry University) in 2000. At the time of his death, he was working on a Masters Degree in Black Catholic Studies from Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana and a Doctorate in Ministry from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida.

Dean worked as a Surgeon's Assistant in cardiac surgery in Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1976 to 1987 and in Fort Myers, Florida from 1987 to 1996. From 1996 to 2001, he worked for Bon Secours in Venice, Florida as a physician's assistant for their Care-A-Van program, which provided much needed health care services to migrant workers and the underprivileged in the communities. At the time of his death, he served as the Director of Evangelization at St. Peter Claver Catholic Mission, and worked for Vista Behavioral Crisis Services and Health Services of Central Florida.

Over the past several years, Dean tirelessly served the community through his volunteer work. He supported and donated his time to several organization, including the Resource Network for Offenders, Neighborhood Accountability Board, Restorative Accountability Board, HIV/AIDS Leadership Commission for the National Black Catholic Congress, Cultural Competency for VISTA, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Homeless Coalition, Board of Directors for Family Health Centers, Executive Committee of the Lee County Branch of the NAACP, Shady Rest Care Pavilion, the Guardian Ad Litem Program, Voices for Kids, St. Peter Claver Catholic Mission, and his own organization, CHAINS, Inc.

In 2004, Dean established CHAINS, Inc., (Caring Has Always Initiated Necessary Services) to provide services for ex-offenders. Dean's dream in life was to create a network of resources that would help ex-offenders re-enter the community and become productive members of society. Dean received daily letters and phone calls from friends and strangers who were incarcerated throughout the United States. He provided these individuals with spiritual and emotional support by answering every letter he received. He also spent much of his time writing letters to and on behalf of death row inmates throughout the country.

Out of all of his accomplishments, Dean was proudest of his work with the children in his church community and through the guardian program. The youth of his community who were so briefly touched by him will now be counted on to carry on his legacy.

Dean will be deeply missed by his family and friends who will carry him in their hearts until the time when they will be together again.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to St. Peter Claver Catholic Mission, c/o Father Ed Galvin, 3681 Michigan Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33916.

If you know of other physician assistants from Florida who have passed away, please send information to us on them as well for inclusion in this Memorial section. If you would like to add to the article, or provide a picture for publication you are encouraged to submit that to the Webmaster.

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