The February 26 Ada Distinguished Awards honored Altstetter, 2025 Citizen of the Year Bob Simmons and 2025 Business of the Year Four Season Drive Through. Stay tuned for more coverage of the event.

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Chances are pretty good that you’ve crossed paths with Dean Altstaetter, the 2025 Chris Burns DiBiasio Make a Difference Award recipient. Dean can be found filling many roles–days, evenings and weekends–in the Village of Ada.

A very active Ada Area Chamber of Commerce member, musician and athlete, Dean’s day job is as Assistant Director of Admissions at Ohio Northern University. He comes from a very musical farm family from north of Cairo–where his sister still lives. You’ll find the accomplishments of his grandfather and his grandfather’s siblings in Allen County Museum displays.

Not surprisingly, Dean says he likes to stay busy and “always tries to lend a helping hand.” On campus, that includes advising the Latino student union, providing advice and event planning, as well as generally helping students find what they want to do in life. 

Dean is also a familiar figure in several musical groups, including solo piano, a piano duo, a jazz trio, and a rock band. 

Recently, Dean returned to his track and field roots, training and competing in his first triathlon. He finished the July 20, 2025 Ironman 70.3 Ohio in Sandusky, Ohio, an event that attracts athletes from around the world.

What’s next for Dean? He’s also a member of the national committee of the American Guild of Organists. He is fascinated by the pipe organ and is expanding his repertoire, including sacred, orchestral and popular music.