Charles Dickie

May 14, 1927 - April 8, 2016

Charles was born to Virginia (Lierman) and Jack W. Dickie in Napa, California on May 14, 1927. He attended schools in Napa and graduated from Napa Union High School. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in a destroyer escort, was honorably discharged and enrolled at Oregon State University before transferring to Colorado A and M in Ft. Collins, Colorado. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Zoology and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, graduating from Colorado State University, formerly (Colorado A and M.) in 1957. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Microbiology which was awarded in 1973. Upon graduation in 1957, he was employed by the State Department of Agriculture of California in the laboratory system. After seven years of employment in California he was appointed Director of the branch laboratory in Rocky Ford for Colorado state University-Ft. Collins He served in that capacity for more than 38 years and retired in 2002. During his tenure at the laboratory he was recognized by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Society at their annual meeting one year for his outstanding service to the livestock industry. During his youth, he enjoyed fishing and hunting around Napa and in northern Colorado. While he was an undergraduate, he worked for the U. S. Forest Service on fire suppression crews and trained as a smoke jumper for the Forest Service. He was an avid hiker and hiked all over southeastern Colorado with permission of the ranchers on whose property he hiked. He also hiked pastures on disease investigations for the ranchers. The family vacationed at Bandelier National Monument for many years and he hiked all of the 65 miles of trails in the monument many times over as well as at the Sand Dunes in the San Luis Valley where the family camped numerous times. The family spent many days in Santa Fe, NM, while camped at Bandelier and visited the museums and art galleries located there. They also visited the museum in Los Alamos whenever they were camped in the area. During these visits he was able to nourish his interest in art, history and geology. He was an avid reader of fiction, non-fiction, history and the scientific journals required in his work. He took up the game of golf and enjoyed the challenge the game provides as well as the exercise and fellowship it provided. He participated in the Trails and Rails program for the National Park Service for several years and was able to visit the museums in Albuquerque on those trips. He and Marjorie Foster were married in 1952, and were the parents of three children. He is survived by Marjorie, daughters Lynn Dickie, Barbara Johnson and by son, John Dickie. He is also survived by six grandchildren, daughter-in-law, Marci Dickie, son-in-law Robert Johnson, by sister-in-law, Dorothy Dickie as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by special friends Raymond Montanez and Edward Blasi, his golfing partners. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother and his grandparents. His grandparents were very influential in his life, especially his grandfather, Charlie Lierman, who was always very supportive and a positive influence. A memorial service for Charles, "Chuck", will be held at the Community Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member, on Friday, June 17, 2016, at 10:30 AM. Memorials may be made to the church; 303 S. 9th, Rocky Ford, CO 81067 or to Arkansas Valley Hospice; 531 Lewis, La Junta, CO 81050. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.

SERVICES

Memorial Service

Friday, June 17, 2016 10:30 AM

Community Presbyterian Church

303 S. 9th

Rocky Ford, CO 81067