How We Live Like Our Friend Dean

Author

Laurie Knapp

Chief Growth Officer

It’s been one year since we lost Dean Altvater. We deeply miss him.

Dean was a colleague who became a dear friend who became family. He had that same effect on so many across our industry, from partners and suppliers to clients and mentees. Dean’s kind heart, infectious laugh, and magnetic personality left an impact on everyone who crossed his path.

Always Look Up

Dean’s mantra perfectly captured who he was. Whatever the day, situation, or conversation, Dean always found and focused on the upside. His positive, shining light was a gift, a gift to be shared, celebrated, and replicated. We believe the best way to remember someone is to honor them by how you live your life.

Life on the Upside: How to Live Like Dean

Imagine if we could all live as Dean did. What a gift. We would:

1. Be happy. Be appreciative. Be humble.
2. Show up for people. Be present, listen fully, and make others feel seen and valued.
3. Share time, knowledge, and experience with others. Forge the path for others coming up behind you.
4. Find and take the positive angle. No looking down or around. Just up.
5. Stay curious. Keep learning, keep asking questions, and stay open to new perspectives.
6. Lead with gratitude. In decisions big and small, choose generosity, patience, and respect.
7. Leave every place better. Every meeting, moment, and relationship is an opportunity to make a positive mark.
8. Have fun. Discover joy in the ordinary. Why have a martini when you can have a “Dean-tini”?
9. Lift others up. Celebrate wins loudly, share credit freely, and advocate for those around you.
10. Laugh. That’s it. Just laugh. It’s contagious.

This is how Dean lived. Small gestures from a man whose impact was big—to PRA, the industry, the hundreds he mentored, and family and friends.

Dean and the mantra he lived by touched so many. Now, it’s our turn.

Always Look Up.