Dr. Richard M. Dikeman

1935 - 2023

Dr. Richard M. Dikeman, of Clarks Summit, Pa., died peacefully in his sleep at Gino Merli Veterans Home on July 3, 2023. He was born in Blakely, Pa., to the late Kenneth D. and Octavia Owens Dikeman on Jan. 4, 1935. He was a devoted husband of 48 years to Louise (Mancinelli), who preceded him in death in 2004.

Richard graduated from Blakely High School and entered the Navy shortly afterwards in June 1952. He trained at the Naval Station in Great Lakes, Ill., and went on to serve on the USS Intrepid as a dental technician until 1956, serving in the Naval Reserves until 1960.

He received his degree in Pre-Dentistry from the University of Scranton and a doctorate in Dental Surgery from University of Pittsburgh in 1963. While in college, he was employed by then-governor Bill Scranton and his family in a number of jobs, including as his driver.

After 43 years of practice in Peckville, Pa., he retired from dentistry in 2006. He was also a Scoutmaster for Our Lady of the Snows' Boy Scout Troop 201 for several years. An avid outdoorsman, he loved camping year-round with the scouts, and hunting and fishing with his father, sons, daughters, and brothers, Ken and Ray, and their sons. He was a longtime member of the Peckville Business Bowling League, resigning after his knees would no longer cooperate.

To many, he was known as "the kindest, smartest man" particularly to the staff at Gino Merli Veterans Home. A man of few words, when Richard spoke, it was with a dry wit and perfect, one-line zingers.

He is also preceded in death by his brother, Ray Gene Dikeman of Wilmington, Del. Surviving are brother, Kenneth L. Dikeman and wife Rosemary (Kura), of Macungie, Pa.; sister-in-law, Sally (Walsh) Dikeman of Wilmington, Del.; children, Virginia L. Dikeman and wife Lorraine Kosik of Clarks Summit, Richard A. Dikeman and husband Dominic Bruno of Englewood, N.J., Melissa M. Dikeman and husband Peter K. Philbin of Havertown, Pa., and Kevin D. Dikeman and wife Shari Buck Dikeman of Clarks Summit; and grandchildren, Alyssa Melisky and husband Cory of Scranton, Isabelle Dikeman of Clarks Summit, and Gwyneth and Norah Philbin of Havertown.

A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Online obituary at www.cremationofpennsylvania.com. Interment will be at Union Cemetery, Peckville, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org/wemissyou, per Dr. Dikeman's wishes.

The Dikeman family would like to extend their profound thanks to the Gino Merli Veterans Home staff on 2 North for their impeccable care, and thanks to Sacred Heart Hospice who supported the staff and Dikeman family.