On Tuesday September 19, 2023, Robert (Bob) Dickson lost his longtime battle with dementia. He is survived by his wife, Ann of 54 years; daughters, Elizabeth, Emily, Margaret (Josiah); grandchildren, Jared, Madeleine; nieces, Elissa, Melanie; and feline companion, Penelope. He was preceded in death by his parents; and younger sister, Judy. Bob was born to Robert Eugene Dickson and Margaret Ruth (Raabe) Dickson on November 27, 1943, in Fort Worth, Texas, where his father was stationed in the Army Air Corps. The family moved to Colorado before settling in Dayton, Ohio where Bob and his sister were raised. He studied Electrical Engineering at Ohio State University when it became clear that he was likely to be drafted. Bob subsequently joined the U.S. Air Force, spending 1 year at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio and 3 years at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, where he repaired aircraft electronics and avionics systems. While stationed there, Bob continued his education at the University of Hawaii. He bought a car there and enjoyed touring the island. Bob met and married Ann King Doane, the love of his life, on September 13, 1969. When he was discharged from the Air Force, he returned to OSU to complete his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. While at OSU, Bob joined the Theta Tau Fraternity, making lifelong friends. After graduation, he went on to work as a plant electrical engineer at Thermo-Disc in Mansfield, Ohio, Lithonia Lighting in Crawfordsville, Indiana, Steelcase in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine and at Navistar in Melrose Park, Illinois. He also taught math at Ivy Tech while in Indiana. He subsequently retired to Kentwood, Michigan to be near family. Bob will be greatly missed by family and friends. A time of gathering will be held from 1-3pm and 4-6pm on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49546, with a time of sharing starting at 5:30pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association/Donate to Fight Alzheimer’s Disease or the ASPCA to help save animals.
Robert Raabe Dickson
11/27/1943
09/19/2023
One Response
My love and deep felt sympathy goes out to Ann, my childhood friend and confidant, and her children and grandchildren on this great loss that all is enduring at this time. Just know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Love Trelene