Serving Location:
CRAIN FUNERAL HOME – MURPHYSBORO
1421 Walnut Street, Murphysboro, Illinois
Richard Dickson was born in Carbondale, Illinois. He was the first-born son of Elizabeth Krysher Dickson and Jason Milburn Dickson and grandson of Maude (Spear) Krysher and Frank C. Krysher (a former Mayor of Carbondale). Richie lived in Makanda, Illinois. His mother was a schoolteacher and his father was a construction worker who built their family home down the hill from his in-laws. His dad also worked on the power plants at Southern Illinois University and the locks in Sault St. Marie, Michigan. Richie’s younger siblings, Robbie and Johnny, followed making a trio of boys. We hear they were a handful.
After delivering his eighth-grade graduation speech at Buncombe School (which was a most-enjoyable recitation from him on request), he went to Carbondale Community High School where he was a starter on the football team until he finished his senior year in 1950. In 1951, he and five other teammates enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Richard joined the Korean War effort, serving until 1954. Post-discharge, Mr. Dickson worked in a railroad camp. He had plans to become a State Trooper or Forest Ranger. Then, he and a co-worker contracted polio after visiting a state fair in Wisconsin. His rehabilitation was done at Hines Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. There, he met a
young lady from Weleetka, Oklahoma, named Carol Ann Overlease, who was completing her
nurse’s training. After secretly dating Richard, Miss Overlease asked for a recommendation for a new job in Marion, Illinois, as she and Mr. Dickson were to be married. Her surprised supervisor agreed. They married in Weleetka in 1956 and continued their commitment for nearly 69 years.
Utilizing the GI Bill, Mr. Dickson entered Southern Illinois University (Carbondale-SIUC) in 1956 where he earned his degrees in Forestry with a Bachelor of Science (1960) and a Master of Science (1962). Mr. Dickson excelled in his studies and was Forestry Club President, Forestry
Representative to the Agricultural Student Council, and a charter member of the Beta Chapter of
Alpha Zeta (an association which continued through UC-Berkeley and ISU-Ames). He was also
a member of the Phi Kappa Phi SIUC chapter.
In addition, he was given a Sahara Coal Company Forestry Scholarship award and SIUC awards
for scholarship and activities, including Outstanding Senior. Also, he was the Master of
Ceremonies at an All-Agricultural Banquet. Surely, he was erudite and entertaining. Before
graduating SIUC he had co-authored four papers. He often said he had lost the use of a leg, but
gained the use of his brain. Meanwhile, in 1959, the Dickson’s welcomed their fist daughter, Carol Elizabeth, in Marion, Illinois. Aided by Carol’s nursing work and Richard’s bartering of garden chores for dental work and various things for his family (including a puppy named Tuffer), he pursued a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from the University of California, Berkeley,
earning that degree in 1968. He was also a member of UC Berkeley’s Sigma Xi Honorary
Science Society. During this time, the family grew with the addition of Diane Lynn in 1964.
The family returned to the Midwest, where Dr. Dickson worked for the USDA Forest Service at
Iowa State University in Ames. Their neighbors, the Kinrade’s and the Stromer’s, became life-
long friends.
Dr. Dickson joined the North Central Forest Experiment Station in Rhinelander, Wisconsin in
1970. In 1973, their youngest daughter, Nancy Lee, was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin. His
career included 83 publications and four book chapters. He was the co-editor of “Tree
Physiology” and associate editor of “Forest Science.” His scientific and technical works were
major contributions to international literature on tree physiology that is still being used and cited
by researchers throughout the world. The recognition of his being an authority in his field lead to invitations to speak at workshops in Japan, France, and The Netherlands. He was most proud
of his work on the Aspen FACE (Free-Air Carbon Enrichment) Project which was a far-reaching
technical study. He was, as we explained to our friends, “the big guy in acid rain and the future
of urban reforestation.”
Before his retirement, 32 years later, Dr. Dickson was given many awards. He was presented
with an Alumni Achievement Award from SIUC in 1990 and gave the College of Agriculture
commencement address in May of that year. In 1991, he accepted the Award for Distinguished
Service USDA in Washington, DC. In 1992, he was honored with a Certificate for Outstanding
Service to the Society of American Foresters. In 1993, he accepted another Award for
Distinguished Service USDA in Washington, DC. He is the only person to receive this honor
twice. Also, in 1993, he received a USDA “Celebration of Excellence” recognition.
Richard truly enjoyed the outdoors. Fishing, hunting, and “gathering” continually fed his family
and friends. He would see a wild fruit tree or a mushroom spot and return for the harvest.
Visiting scientists and graduate students were frequent dinner guests and had occasionally been
surprised by the Northwoods fare. He was also a recycler before that was much of a concept.
The junk-yard guy probably wondered who the heck he was with all those cans. He gathered
those too. Richard and Carol returned to Makanda, Illinois after building their lovely home in a bluff and creek area of the family homestead. He continued to hunt and created another thoughtful and
beautifully-natural environment. They enjoyed many years before his death at home looking out
the window at the birds and the trees. We all enjoyed an idyllic life, truly.
He is survived by Carol (Overlease) Dickson his wife of 68 years, Carol Elizabeth Dickson (and
Steve Pederson) of Grafton, WI, Diane (Lynn) Dickson Alderete (and Jason) of Durham, CT,
Nancy LD Lee (and Jeffrey) of Makanda, IL, and his brothers Robert Dickson (and Joan) of
Punta Gorda, FL, and John Dickson (and Linda) of Makanda, IL. There are also the grand-daughters, Jill DeQuardo (and Nick) of Pewaukee, WI, Mallory Kelley (and Scott) of Waubeka, WI, grand-son Calvin Eugene Alderete (and Laynie) of Portland, CT, and great-grandsons William Scott Kelley and Jack Eugene Kelley. The family would also like
to thank Richard’s caregivers, Brenda Williamson, Lorie Elsasser, Patti Parks, and Mary Vincent
for their dedication. There are innumerable other family members and friends who have been
influenced by this amazing, capable, and loving man.
Funeral services were held on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Crain Funeral Home
Murphysboro. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. the day of the service at the funeral home.
A Private Inurnment at Evergreen Cemetery will be held at a later date. The cremation of Richard Eugene Dickson, Ph.D. will be personally handled by the staff of Crain Funeral Home. Crain Funeral Home in Murphysboro is in charge of arrangements. To view the obituary and/or to leave an online condolence for the family,
please visit www.crainsonline.com.
