[Vision2020] John Dickinson Memorial Service: 15 September 2007

[Saundra Lund]

Moscow-Pullman Daily News

OBITUARY: John Wesley Dickinson
62, Moscow resident 
Saturday, September 1, 2007 - Page Updated at 12:00:00 AM


A public memorial service for John Wesley Dickinson will be held at 2 p.m.
on Sept. 15, 2007, in the University of Idaho Administration Building
Auditorium in Moscow. The family will host a reception following the
service. 

John was born in Kissimmee, Fla., on May 24, 1944, to Wesley and Averyl
Dickinson. Since his father was in the Air Force, the family moved several
times in John's early years. He lived in Dayton, Ohio (twice); Wellesley,
Mass.; and Inglewood, Calif. Finally, in 1952, the family settled in San
Jose, Calif., the place John considered to be his hometown.

John received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering at the
University of California at Berkeley. He then obtained a Ph.D. in electrical
engineering at the University of Denver in Colorado. After attaining his
doctorate, John ventured to Great Britain for several years to work for
General Electric of England.

In 1973, he returned to the United States to accept a position as professor
at the University of Idaho in its Electrical Engineering Department. He was
involved in the foundation of the University of Idaho Computer Science
Department in 1981, where he taught and performed research until he retired
in 2002. During his tenure at the university, he also spent several years as
the chair of the Computer Science Department.

In 2003, John was elected to the Moscow City Council, and he began his
appointment early in 2004. He served as chair of the Council's
Administrative Committee and was elected City Council president in January
of 2007.

In 2004, John became one of the founding board members of the Sirius Idaho
Theater company in Moscow. He acted in two of its plays, "Proof" and "A Walk
in the Woods," and he was the production manager for almost all the theater
group's events during this period. 

John had a variety of interests throughout the course of his life. He
enjoyed traveling, downhill and cross-country skiing, sailing, camping,
backpacking, running, golf, softball, literature, civic improvement
activities, education, and caring for the loved ones in his life. 

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Zimmer, of Moscow, Idaho, and sons
James of Copper Mountain, Colo., and Ian of Moscow; and grandchildren Mycah
Kennedy of Blaine, Wash., Lucas John and Catherine Lynn Zimmer of Moscow,
and Isabella Wolfe Dickinson of Copper Mountain. He is also survived by his
father, Wesley, of Saratoga, Calif.; and brothers Paul of Saratoga; Dan of
Albany, Calif.; and Pete of Pullman, Wash. 

A scholarship fund has been established in John's name at the University of
Idaho Computer Science Department. Donations may be sent to the John
Dickinson Memorial Scholarship Fund, University of Idaho Foundation, Inc.,
Gift Administration Office, P.O. Box 443147, Moscow, ID 83844-3147.