Dr. Hepworth received his bachelor's degree, masters degree and PhD. from the University of Utah. 

He worked in a private counseling practice before taking a position at the University of Utah. There he became a full professor and head of the Marriage and Family Counseling Center. He was voted favorite professor by the students for the first two years they gave the award. He also served as vice president of the state Social Workers' Association.

He retired from the U of U as an emeritus professor, and was lured away by the Arizona State University, where he was a full professor and taught classes and trained their faculty. He later retired from ASU as an emeritus professor.

During his professional life, he served with the traveling mental health clinic in Southern Utah. Once a month he and a couple of others from the University traveled to southern Utah and provided counseling and training to the counselors there. He was also hired by the state of Alaska to train their social workers, particularly on helping those with SAD (Season Affective Disorder) which is caused by seeing very little sunlight in the winter. He made several trips there, including some with Pat and he even trained social workers above the Arctic Circle.

Dean was also granted a one year visiting professorship at the University of Hawaii. The university offered him a fulltime position, but it was just too far away from family.

Dr. Hepworth published several books, but by far the most impactful was his book, Direct Social Work Practice. This book became the standard for social work students and was used in over 200 universities. Most students that received their Master of Social Work degree studied from his book.

When he moved to Austin Texas, he was invited to speak at the University of Texas School of Social Work and received a standing ovation by the students and faculty.

He is survived by his sister, his son and his wife, 5 grandchildren and 14 Great grandchildren. Funeral services were held on July 29, 2023.