Dean Saylor Kercher

Dean Saylor Kercher, age 81, passed away January 21, 2020 at home with his family by his side. He was predeceased by his first wife, Audrey Lathrop Kercher. Dean was born in Milwaukee, WI, but spent his formative years in Naperville, IL. The foundation of Dean’s passions began in Naperville and were fostered by the bond with his grandfather Jacob Thomas Saylor. Dean was an avid outdoorsman. When his father became sick and housebound, Dean emulated his Grandpa Saylor who was a market hunter and expert marksman. Dean learned to love the outdoors from his Grandpa Saylor who taught him to hunt, fish and trap. His love for these endeavors led to many trips across North America including remote areas of Alaska creating a lifetime of memories. Grandpa Saylor also taught Dean to work with tools in the shop behind their house where Dean honed his skills as a craftsman. Dean loved working with his Grandpa in that shop. Dean went on to study Mechanical Engineering at Bradley University, where he received a master’s degree with honors. Dean held several professional positions as an Engineer with his career culminating in Atlanta where he retired from Atlantic Steel. His favorite place of work was in his basement shop, where he had an incredible collection of tools and mechanical equipment. He was a master machinist and it was in his shop that he established Kercher Manufacturing solving problems that others could not. Dean grew up riding motorcycles of all kinds. He loved vintage bikes and collected European café racers. When Dean wasn’t riding, he would spend his time rebuilding old motorcycles and restoring them to perfection. In his shop, with boxes of obsolete parts, Dean created his own functional pieces of art to ride and enjoy. Dean Saylor Kercher is survived by his wife, Nancy Wu; sons, Jeff, Dan, and Jim; grandchildren Saylor, Jake, Ethan, Evan, Rachel, Leo and Eli. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Smithsonian: ( https://support.si.edu/site/Donation2?df_id=15635&mfc_pref=T&15635.donation=form1&s_subsrc=ad_K_P_N__SI_tax-past-present-future-AdW3_donation___&s_src=ZYYMMPX01SER&gclid=Cj0KCQiApaXxBRDNARIsAGFdaB-lqDHjuiuRr-K1sZlRMO0-RwdTJC7Kz9UzGKNv5Kpjxirfwj0d1OsaAhGVEALw_wcB )

Dean Saylor Kercher

November 6, 1938 - January 21, 2020