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Dean Grover

personactive16 mentionsFirst seen Apr 29, 2007Last seen Mar 27, 2026

Profile

Dean Grover was a legendary Stern pinball programmer and former Williams employee who made significant contributions to pinball code development, including work on the Beatles pinball machine. He is remembered as an influential mentor figure in the pinball community and was known for his work on Spider-Man home edition code and The Reaper game. Grover passed away before 2025, with Stern maintaining a memorial picture of him in attract mode as a tribute to his legacy.

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Facts

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Claims (2)

  • factualhigh

    Dean Grover, a Stern pinball programmer, donated his personal Iron Man machine to Project Pinball and subsequently donated it permanently through his estate after his death

    Source: Daniel SpolarOne More Dollar, One More Game: Inside Project Pinball with Daniel Spolar
  • factualhigh

    Dean Grover, Stern programmer, has passed away

    Source: Ron and Bruce (personal knowledge/industry news)Episode 198 – Solid Full Red

Recent Mentions (16)

  • Pinball programmer who coded Spider-Man Home for Stern and many other games; met Daniel Spolar at PAPA in 2011; had suffered serious illness in youth with lifelong health effects; loaned personal Iron Man machine to Project Pinball for Children's Hospital Colorado placement; subsequently donated it permanently after his death; had one-of-a-kind Spider-Man Home prototype

    One More Dollar, One More Game: Inside Project Pinball with Daniel SpolarMar 27, 2026
  • Pinball programmer known as 'the Reaper'; added special mode to The Beatles allowing play of original Sea Witch rule set

    The 10 Best Pinball Machines Ever Made From 1980 - 1984Mar 16, 2026
  • Scorer from Colorado; Dean is scoring for the tournament

    INDISC 2015 Pinball Tournament FinalsJan 27, 2015
  • Programmer/coder on Star Wars The Pin and previous Stern platform games (Spider-Man, Supreme); design partner with George Gomez

    FNO Pinball Ep 21: Star Wars The Pin w/ George Gomez (Designer) from Stern Pinball LIVE In StudioSep 24, 2019
  • Code programmer at Stern; based in Colorado; has been with team nearly as long as Corey; worked on Beatles and other games

    The Mandalorian Gameplay & Discussion w/ Game Programmer Dwight SullivanJun 27, 2021
  • High-level Colorado pinball player; mentioned as example of expert Simpsons play ($20-30 million scores)

Contradictions

  • Existing: Deceased programmer (mentioned in episode 1, 2025-08-25)vsConflicting: Listed as exhibitor at Rocky Mountain Showdown with Safe Cracker machine in 2007
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Episode 261: Now and ZenJun 3, 2020
  • Programmer for Congo; also worked on Beatles and other CERN titles; described as 'elder statesman' at Williams

    Pinball Is Dying – Part 2: Bally/WilliamsJan 5, 2022
  • Designer who worked with Bill on Congo; passed away last year (relative to 2023 event)

    Fireside Chat with Bill GruppFeb 7, 2025
  • Deceased programmer who worked for Williams and Stern. Credited on Congo, Safecracker, Star Wars Home Edition, Supreme, Beatles, and multiple Cornerstones. Was a top competitive pinball player from Colorado. Had health issues (cardiac arrest 2009, liver transplant).

    Episode 198 – Solid Full RedJan 10, 2023
  • Deceased code programmer at Williams (1990s) and Stern; worked on Beatles and Spider-Man Home Edition; base OS code contributor

    Pinball Magazine & Pinball News PINcast December 2022 recapJan 4, 2023
  • Designer who co-purchased Beatles pinball with Jerry; collaborated late-night on Beatles sound design; worked extensively on Beatles project with Jerry.

    Episode 272: Jerry ThompsonAug 2, 2020
  • Stern staff member collaborating with Sexton on gold record/platinum record progression system

    Episode 293: Timmy Page SextonDec 16, 2020
  • Designer who created modes for Godzilla, recently passed away; tribute added to upcoming Godzilla code update

    Ep 101: Elwin, Keith ElwinFeb 6, 2023
  • Former Williams employee; exhibitor at Rocky Mountain Showdown with Safe Cracker machine that won Best of Show voting

    TOPCast 31: Tech showApr 29, 2007
  • Deceased pinball programmer credited with Spider-Man home edition code and The Reaper game; Stern maintains his memorial picture in attract mode; described by Walt as 'legend' and influential mentor

    Star Wars Costco Pinball *HONEST and UNSPONSORED* Review - Is it worth it?Aug 25, 2025
  • Stern programmer credited as lead coder for Beatles pinball

    Episode 74 – Zach Sharpe reveals Stern’s SecretsDec 17, 2018