Born October 16, 1901, Deane J. Severns was one of the pioneers in air history. He received his CAA license in 1923, and was a barnstormer before becoming a certified airplane mechanic in 1928. In 1928, he began a lifetime career with Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, California. By 1942, he was responsible for the operation of the Overhaul and Repair Department of Lockheed and its Field Service Sections. While at Lockheed, he met many other aviation pioneers, including Charles Lindbergh, who became a personal friend. Severns was the mechanic for Amelia Earhart before she took off on her fateful flight around the world. Severns was also a close friend of Wiley Post, who left his clothes with Severns when he left on his fatal flight with Will Rogers.
In early 1942, Severns was over the age of enlistment for World War II. However, the United States Navy requested that Severns be relieved of his position at Lockheed and report to Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire for officer's training. Upon being commissioned Lt. Commander, he was stationed at Olathe, Kansas. While at Olathe, Severns was sent all over the United States trouble-shooting aircraft problems for the Navy. He was then sent to the Aleutian Islands to command a maintenance naval aircraft unit, where he remained for the duration of the War.
After the end of World War II, Severns returned to Lockheed and continued in the maintenance supervision capacity until his retirement. Deane Severns died in California in the 1960's.