Delbert Roger Dickson

Delbert Roger Dickson, M.D., originally from The Dalles, Ore., died June 1, 2008, at his Underwood, Wash., residence with family by his side. He was 85 years of age and passed away after a long battle with systemic amyloidosis.

A celebration of his life was held on Sunday, June 8, at the home of Don and Arlene Bradford. A tribute to Dr. Dickson will be held at a later date in Santa Barbara, Calif. Graveside rites will follow later at The Santa Barbara Cemetery.

Del, Dr. D, Boss, The Good Doc, or DRD, as he was affectionately known to many, was born to George Delbert and Montine (Young) Dickson on Dec. 16, 1922, in Long Beach, Calif. His family returned to the Oregon homestead when he was a young child.

His youth was spent living out on Eight Mile Creek, in Dufur, in Snowden, and eventually in The Dalles. He graduated from The Dalles High School in 1940 with a very special group of classmates who have remained friends through the years.

Del continued his education and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon in Eugene, and as anyone would tell you, he was a life-long Ducks fan. He attended medical school at the University of Oregon Medical School in Portland (now OHSU) with the class of 1946.

After earning his medical degree, Delbert proudly served his country as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps where he completed a two-year internship at Aeia Heights Hospital at Pearl Harbor, followed by a first-year residency at the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia, and finally receiving orders to report to the USS General William Mitchell.

He completed his military service in 1950 and on July 1, 1950, began his second-year residency in pathology at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, Calif. His final year of residency was spent at Sawtelle Veterans Hospital in Los Angeles, Calif. Following this, as he put it, he returned to Santa Barbara and Cottage Hospital for the rest of his (practicing) life.

Delbert always expected the best of everyone, including himself. He could be tough but if you gave it your all, you were guaranteed it would be returned in kind. He was a friend, a listener, a mentor to many.

In 1948 Del married Phyllis Webster, who he had earlier met on Mount Hood while attending medical school. They were blessed with four wonderful children: Pamela, Deborah, Daniel and Brian.

The family settled in Santa Barbara, Calif., where they raised their children and Delbert worked as a pathologist for almost 50 years. Phyllis and Delbert later divorced.

He met his future wife, Susan Wilson, in Santa Barbara where they spent many happy years together. Upon his retirement in 1998, Del and Susie moved back to the Northwest and called Underwood, Wash., home.

They enjoyed spending their time gardening and relaxing in the beauty of the Columbia Gorge with the majesty of Mount Hood and Mount Adams in the scenic backdrop. They were blessed just five years ago with a beautiful daughter, Keolani Rose.

Delbert's legacy will continue to live on through the lives of his wife, Susie Dickson, and their daughter, Keolani Rose, at their home in Underwood, Wash.; his adult children and their spouses: Pamela and Tom Howard, of San Diego, Calif., Deborah and Gene Archambault, of Santa Barbara, Calif., Daniel and Karen Dickson of Casper, Calif., and Brian and Bettina Dickson, of Napa, Calif.; their mother, Phyllis Dickson, of Casper, Calif.; and grandchildren, Whitney and Taylor Bell, Janell and Gwen Archambault, Kira and Tessa Dickson and Leo and Archie Dickson.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth G. Dickson (d. Feb 18, 1992), of Salem, Ore.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to: The Mayo Clinic of Hematology, Amyloidosis Research and sent in care of Anderson’s Tribute Center.

Words cannot adequately express the loss that so many feel except to say it is the end of an era.

The twinkle in his eye will live forever in the hearts of those who knew him.