ODU Auditor Deane Hennett Remembered

June 03, 2014

Deane A. Hennett

Deane A. Hennett, Old Dominion University's auditor for more than a decade, died May 22. He was 53.

Hennett became ODU's university auditor in July, 1997. He began his career in 1983 with the Heilig-Meyers Company, based in Richmond. After two and a half years in retail operations, he transitioned into an internal auditing career at Heilig-Meyers.

From 1989 to 1997, Deane was an auditor at the University of Virginia. He obtained a master of business administration degree from James Madison University and a bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting from Washington and Lee University. He was a certified public accountant, certified internal auditor, a certified government financial manager and held a certification in risk management assurance.

"Deane was a dedicated public servant whether he was working in ODU's finance office or spending his off-time volunteering at church or with several professional organizations of which he was a member," said ODU Chief Operating Officer David Harnage. "He exemplified Old Dominion's focus on giving back to the community and set a fine example for friends and colleagues on and off campus."

Hennett was an active member of St. Michael Lutheran Church where he served for a number of years as treasurer and deacon. He had a long standing membership in the Association of College and University Auditors; the College and University Auditors of Virginia, where he was a past President (2004-2006); the Association of Government Accountants; and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), where he served for multiple years as the district advisor for the Mid-Atlantic Region and held various officer positions within the IIA Tidewater chapter.

Hennett traveled the country extensively pursuing his passion for landscape photography. He also had great interest in civil war and cartographic history. He will be remembered as a devoted husband and father, loving son and brother.

Hennett is survived by his wife, Ann; sons, Corey and Kyle; his mother Ernestine; and brother Keith.

A 1 p.m. funeral service will be held Thursday, June 5 in St. Michael Lutheran Church, located at 2208 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation to the American Cancer Society be considered.