Commentary

We’ll miss you, 'coffee legend' Dean Gilland

Dean Gilland , well known for his knowledge of the coffee service business and for helping people, recently passed away.

Image courtesy of iStock.

January 18, 2021 by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Dean Gilland

One of the great things about the convenience services industry is the great people we get to know. The downside of these friendships is the inevitable passing of these people, and I'm sad to announce that Dean Gilland recently passed away at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He was 79.

Dean was well known in the convenience services industry for his magnetic likability and his wealth of knowledge about the coffee service business. His always upbeat personality contributed to his success as an industry networker. I can't ever remember seeing Dean without a large smile on his face, and that smile was genuine.

After joining the National Automatic Merchandising Association staff in 2000, shortly after its merger with the National Coffee Service Association, Dean played a key role in developing NAMA's coffee service educational programs and in creating the Coffee, Tea & Water Show.

His knowledge of the coffee service industry was encyclopedic, covering every aspect of that multi-faceted business, everything from coffee prices to brewing equipment to business operations to sales. He was always willing to share his knowledge with anyone.

The accolades from his associates have been nonstop. Here are just a few:

"He was one of the finest people I have ever worked with, and, he was a really fun guy," said Dan Matthews, who worked with Dean while serving as NAMA's executive vice president and chief operating officer. "I have fond memories of our time together at NAMA and will remember Dean with admiration and respect. His likability was off the charts. Dean was originally hired to develop the CTW market for NAMA and grow it he did. In fact, the founding and success of the CTW show can be directly attributed to Dean's leadership. He wore several other hats during his tenure with NAMA and never disappointed."
"I just appreciated his loyalty to the members and the suppliers," said Roger Stewart, who reported to Dean while serving as the NAMA director of coffee and water services from 2003 to 2014. "He was the kind of guy who when said he'd do something, he'd do it."
"Dean was a knowledgeable, helpful, kind man who went out of his way to help others," said Leo Fante, owner of Fante's Coffee in Louisville, Kentucky. "He will be missed by so many."
"Dean was just such an amazing person. He helped so many of us in this industry," said Barbara Hunt-Russell, vice president of sales and marketing at Holiday House Distributing. "Always there to listen and gave the best advice."

After retiring from NAMA in 2015 as vice president of sales, Dean worked as a consultant to the industry. In 2016, NAMA named him a "Coffee Legend."

Prior to joining NAMA, he spent 30 years at Scott Paper, holding sales positions with increased responsibilities, rising to vice president of sales for the central region.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy Gilland; son Robert (Melissa); daughter Kristen; sister Sharon; grandsons Alex (23), Erik (17) and Spencer (11), sister-in-law Charlene, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Michael and nephew Todd.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project and First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights.

All services and interment will be held privately.

Funeral Information and condolences can be given here.

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