Died January 3, 1940 – May 23, 2014,Butler, PA
College: Davenport
Major: Electrical Engineering
Widow: Mrs. Mary S. Dickson
160 Winters Road
Butler, PA 16001-8816
724-287-2053
fcdickson@comcast.net
Children: Elizabeth; David; Frank; Mary; Jennifer; Sonia; Andrew
Grandchildren: 11 – too many to list
ESSAY
This is a reflection on my years at Yale. I am grateful to Yale for the opportunity to attend such a fine university with a full N.R.O.T.C. scholarship. The benefits of that combination of the Navy training and the Yale education have served me greatly. It is too bad that this combination is not available for the present undergraduates, because of the absence of ROTC from the campus. It is too also bad for our country to be deprived of good, well trained Yale men in our military. I often think that it was a good thing that Yale sent into the world over 1,000 educated young men each year. Also gone…
OBITUARY
Frank C. Dickson, II, 74, of Penn Township, Butler, PA, passed away Friday evening at home due to complications from recent heart surgery. Born January 3, 1940 in Butler, Frank was the older son of John and Marion (Ludwick) Dickson. Frank and his beloved wife Mary Succop Dickson were married August 31, 1962.
Frank was a graduate of the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and Yale University, Class of 1962, where he received his degree in electrical engineering. Having earned an NROTC scholarship for his undergraduate studies, Frank was placed directly in the United States Navy upon graduation. He proudly served four years as a submariner, primarily in the North Atlantic base in Groton, Connecticut. Honorably discharged at the rank of Lieutenant in 1966, Frank and Mary returned to Butler County to raise their growing family. Frank worked for forty one years at American Roller Bearing and was President from 1984 to 2007 when he retired. He also served as Vice President of the Brownsdale Corporation during this same time period. He had a brilliant mind for business and computers and was able to combine the two and successfully computerize the company’s operations. Frank also served on the Board of Rex-Hide Industries for 45 years. The theme of community service was a constant in most of Frank’s adult life. He was twice elected to the South Butler County School Board and also served a lengthy period with Penn Township planning commission. As a devoted lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in Butler, Pennsylvania, Frank taught Sunday school classes for many years.
In recent times, Frank and Mary have enjoyed travel with friends to Europe and South Africa. With greater zeal, they have frequently visited their widely dispersed children and grandchildren. A portion of the retirement years have been spent in Naples, Florida where visits from family are highly anticipated and joyfully received. In all of these locations, Frank was enabled to pursue his chief personal passion, reading American history, especially biography.
In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Dickson Barnfather (Eric). He is survived and will be sorely missed by Mary, his wife of fifty-one years, John Dickson, his brother and his wife, Carole.
Surviving children include, Marion Elizabeth Dickson Marchionni (Bill) of Atlanta, Georgia, David Ludwick Dickson (Laura) of Salida, Colorado, Frank Craig Dickson, III (Liz) of Baltimore, Maryland, Mary Leora Dickson Citrino (Rob) of Old Brookville, New York, Sonia Succop Dickson, of New York City and Andrew Foley Dickson (Anne) of Pittsburgh, PA. Grandchildren include, Tommy and Emily Dickson (Baltimore, MD), Robbie, Dean and Marion Citrino (Old Brookville, NY), William and James Marchionni (Atlanta, GA), Eric and Brittney Barnfather (Pittsburgh, PA), Craig and Sarah Dickson (Salida, CO) and George and Foster Dickson (Pittsburgh, PA); many nieces and nephews also survive.
Friends will be received Thursday, May 29, 2014 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Thompson – Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North Street, Butler, PA.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 200 East North Street Butler, PA, with Pastor Eric Park, officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the Butler County YMCA, 339 N. Washington St, Butler, PA 16001 or First United Methodist Church, 200 East North Street, Butler, PA 16001.