Richard E. Dickson

Richard E. "Dick" Dickson, 78, of Sioux City passed away Friday, March 9, 2007, at Countryside Retirement Home following a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. today at Morningside Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Kevin Lee officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the 185th Air Refueling Wing. Visitation was held 4 to 8 p.m. March 13, where a prayer service was held at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brother Morningside Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Richard, the son of Lester A. and Minnie E. (Altmanshofer) Dickson, was born April 15, 1928, in Sac City, Iowa. After moving with his family to Sioux City, he graduated from East High School and Sioux Empire College.

He married Elaine D. Tucker on Oct. 18, 1947. In 1948, he enlisted in the 185th Air Fighter Wing and went on to serve in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was honored for his combat duty with a Bronze Medal. He retired from the 185th in 1983, after 39 years of service as lieutenant colonel. Following his retirement, he joined the Retired Reserve Officer's program at Tinker Air Force Base in Tulsa from 1983 through 1988.

He took great pride in serving his country and his community. A longtime active member of Morningside Lutheran Church, he served as president of the council and as an active choir member for years. He also was a former Boy Scout leader and served on a local school board for Woodbury County School District 1. He had a wonderful zest for life and enjoyed flying, motorcycling, golfing, camping and traveling.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine; two sons and their wives, Roger D. and Janis Dickson of Paola, Kan., and Rickey L. and Linda Dickson of Phoenix, Ariz.; a daughter and her husband, Judith A. and Ritch Stolpe of Sioux City; a brother and his wife, Gerald and Nancy Dickson of Cape Coral, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Avis Eickholt.

Pallbearers will be Eric Dickson, Lyle Howard, Chad Stolpe, Andrew Dickson, Brett Stolpe and Jody Anderson.

Memorial may be directed to the Parkinson's Association.