Dean Rowlan O’Harra

Dean O’Harra was born December 14, 1978 in Portland Oregon.  Parents were Steven O’Harra and Sally Witter Keuscher. He grew up in Hood River Oregon, Hollister California, Portland Oregon and Salem Oregon.  He Graduated from South Salem High School and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors from the University of Portland.  He won the 2006 Franz Mayr Award for passion and aptitude for Philosophy.

He received his Master’s Degree with Honors from State University of New York Stony Brook.  He was named Philosophy Student of the Year and represented the Philosophy Department on stage during the Graduation ceremony. Dean also earned an advanced Certificate in Herbology from the Rocky Mountain School of Botanical Studies.  Dean briefly taught Philosophy at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City.

Dean loved to travel and lived in the following Countries:  Spain, Portugal, Germany, Mexico, Columbia, Turkey, Indonesia, and Ireland.   Dean had a teaching Certificate from Oxford University and taught English as a second language in Germany, Mexico and Turkey. Dean also was also known as DJ Selecta Dispissed and played his wide variety of Music in clubs and record stores in Mexico City, Montreal, and New York City.  Dean loved music and liked to visit the different clubs in the cities in which he lived.  His favorite type of music was Punk and Reggae.

When Dean was 3 he had a head injury and suffered Cerebral Palsy like after effects.  Dean went through many years of treatment and surgeries through the Shriners Program.   Dean, as an adult, became an advocate for people with disabilities.  His Master’s Degree Thesis was “Disability and Embodiment Towards an ethics of welcoming” and was published by Stoney Brook. Dean wrote published articles, appeared on the radio and on many podcasts.  Dean was smart, funny, adventurous, and very kind.

Dean is survived by his Father Steven O’Harra of Salem, his Brother Clark O’Harra of Salem, Sisters Laura O’Harra Thomas of Omaha Nebraska, and Elizabeth Servin of Salem. He had 13 nieces and nephews.