Robert Hammond Dickinson Jr.

Robert (Bob) Hammond Dickinson, Jr., 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 21, 2022, surrounded by his loving wife of 33 years, Harleen, and his three daughters from respiratory failure due to sudden complications from COVID.

Bob was born April 25,1934 in Oak Park, IL to Robert H. Sr. and Dorothy (nee Foster) Dickinson and grew up in the Chicago area with his grandparents A.E. (“Bud”) and Gertrude Foster and Harry and Mabel Dickinson. He was a Boy Scout earning numerous badges and the highest honor of Eagle Scout. In high school, he was a top ten student selected to deliver the graduation speech to his class of 3000 members. He graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa with a major in Political Science, where he also was the editor of the school paper. Upon graduation, Bob enlisted in the Marine Corps and rose to the rank of Captain after training as a Navy pilot while being stationed at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in California. During this time, he met and married Judith Allen, and they started a family. He later served in the Marine Corps Reserve until 1970.a

Upon leaving active service, he worked in advertising and sales for Procter & Gamble, Gillette, and Mead Johnson before moving to Atlanta, GA and becoming a stockbroker for Shearson Hammill Co. where he first met Harleen, his future wife many years later. He eventually left corporate life and became an independent Certified Financial Planner. Fueled with a passion for flying, as well as the goal of bringing affordability and accessibility to others, he started the Safety Aire Flying Club and became its President as well as a flight instructor who taught hundreds of future pilots at Atlanta’s Peachtree- DeKalb Airport for over 25 years. At its peak, the Club amassed over 200 members and six airplanes. Concurrently, he also served as President of the Optimist Club for numerous years.

In 1987, he reconnected with and married Harleen A. (nee Young) Thosteson. Always together, they loved traveling the world, hosting gatherings, socializing, spending time with family & friends, running the flying club, being involved in their community and church, and pampering their special dogs.

In 2001, Bob survived a plane crash during a training flight. Upon his recovery, he retired from flying and moved to Crossville, TN, later Hilton Head, SC, and finally to Raleigh, NC to be near family while he and Harleen lived their last few years in assisted living. As a result of the accident, he developed mild-moderate cognitive issues, however, through the loving assistance of his wife, daughters, and amazing caregivers, he lived life to the best of his abilities.

Bob was fun, bright, positive, social, always kind, and an incredibly funny guy. He loved golfing, flying, watching movies, playing games, reminiscing, eating good meals, and engaging in hearty laughter. At karaoke parties, he had a special fondness for performing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”. Bob loved and adored Harleen, as they were often seen holding hands, kissing, or dancing together, and he told her he loved her every day. They remained happily married until the end, when Bob and Harleen passed away within one day of one another.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and his half-brother, Gary S. Dickinson, who followed in the footsteps of his “big brother, Bob” by also serving as a US Marine. He is survived by his three daughters: Lorri Griffin (Jeff) of Angier, NC, Barbara Dickinson (Melanie Leyden) of Durham, NC, and Caryn Haas (Bob) of Jacksonville, FL; his first wife Judith Allen Dickinson; his grandsons William Griffin (Samantha) of Charlotte, NC and Michael Griffin of Louisville, CO; and first great-grandchild Audrey Griffin, in addition to multiple nieces and nephews.

Both Bob and Harleen were lifetime animal lovers. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to be sent to The Retirement Home for Horses at Mill Creek Farm in Alachua, FL. This 501(c)(3) donor-funded sanctuary takes in retired Military and Police horses after they have served a life of serving the people, as well as abused and neglected horses in need. They currently support 147 horses to live out the remainder of their lives in peaceful surroundings with loving care.
www.millcreekfarm.org