A proud US Navy veteran, dedicated to his family and service to his country.

George "Dean" Zeitler passed away peacefully on January 26, 2021 at Sunrise Sabre Springs in San Diego.

He was born April 2, 1936 at Balboa Naval Hospital San Diego. The only child of a Naval blimp pilot, George Zeitler and his mother Lula Lee, Dean served 33 1/2 years in the Navy. He enlisted in 1955 and rose through the Air Traffic Control ranks, retiring as Commander in 1988.

As a child, Dean moved around to Naval bases in Panama, Key West FL, Lakehurst NJ and Coronado CA. When his father retired, they settled in Spring Valley CA where Dean graduated from Helix High School and attended San Diego State University.

As a Boy Scout, he developed a lifelong love of the outdoors, hiking, camping and backpacking. He also loved music. He had a beautiful singing voice, could whistle a mean tune and played trombone in two school bands.

He met his future wife, Janet Wittwer, at a USO dance in Atlantic City. They married and had two children, Julie and Scott. Together they navigated life around the globe in true Naval style.

He considered himself fortunate to travel the world, bringing his family with him as he served tours of duty in Atsugi Japan, Honolulu, Virginia Beach, Patuxent River MD, Sigonella Sicily, Lemoore CA, Miramar and Coronado here in San Diego. He also served on three aircraft carriers in oceans around the world.

When he retired, he worked for Lockheed Martin with the FAA, in air traffic control. He made many valuable and long lasting friendships through both careers in the Navy and after.

Throughout his life he continued his love of the outdoors by taking many backpacking, camping and hiking trips, especially to the Sierras. The mountains were his favorite place to be. Second to that was the golf course. He introduced Jan to golfing in the early 1960's and they both golfed together and with friends for the next 50 years.

Dean would be happy to be remembered as a man who loved his family, was a good friend to everyone and was very proud of his military career.