Harold Leonard Dickieson

After living life to the fullest for 99 years, Harold Leonard Dickieson passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026. His family along with his beloved wife Victoria was at his side where she had been for 76 years.

Their life together began in 1949, when Harold married Victoria Dolich and raised 5 children in Dearborn, Michigan. In addition to their busy family life, Harold joined Taylor Thompson Machinery in 1947 and became Vice President in 1963. The dream of owning his own business was realized in 1970 when he formed The Dickieson Company, representing machinery companies supplying equipment for the automotive industry. Success followed as he made a mark for himself in the machine tool industry. After selling his company to Gerotech Inc. in 1988, Harold remained a consultant before beginning a new venture in 1992. His new endeavor introduced the auto industry to Romer's portable 3D coordinate measuring devices invented by his friend Homer Eaton. The Romer light weight measuring tool transformed manufacturing quality control allowing onsite realtime measurement of auto parts during the production process. Harold thrived during the last few years of his career and finally retired from all business related work in 1998.

His new found free time allowed him to follow his passion for exploration and travel. In his earlier years, he and Victoria criss crossed the globe on both work and pleasure trips. After his retirement, he found joy in traveling with his children on small boat cruises and National Park adventures. Harold instilled the love for travel in his 5 children and 11 grandchildren. Yearly family reunions began in 1979 and took place throughout the Great Lakes region. These gatherings were the highest priority for Harold who was diligent about making sure he had a quality destination lined up each year. It was in the reunion setting that the Dickieson family created lasting bonds and saw Harold's generosity on full display. Harold was immensely proud of the successes of his eleven grandchildren, all of whom were enriched by his wisdom and active participation in their upbringing.

Harold's sense of adventure began when he was accepted into the Naval Air Corp in 1944, and served in WWII until 1947. His Navy friends would be his closest throughout his life. Harold continued to fly after the war and eventually purchased his own plane, a Cessna 182, which he used for business and pleasure with Victoria as his co-pilot. Out of the air, and unto the sea, Harold had yearly travels to the Caribbean where he would rent a boat and sail for a week with old friends from many walks of his life.

Closer to home, Harold was an avid tennis player, helping to facilitate the building of tennis courts behind Dearborn's YMCA and was a founding member of the Fairlane Club where he could be found playing either indoors or out with many tennis friends most days of the week. When his children were young, he served as the girls coach for church softball and basketball teams for Christ Episcopal Church of Dearborn. Harold cherished the role of coach and excelled as trophies piled up in the church showcase. Beginning in the 1950's, Christ Episcopal Church was intertwined in the life of the entire Dickieson family for the next 50 years. Harold was also one of the longest running members of the Huron Valley Hunting and Fishing Club at 59 years and a proud member of the Henry Ford Trade School Alumni Association.

Harold was the youngest of two sons, born on November 1, 1926, to Ruby and Richard Dickieson of Inkster, Michigan. His brother Tom, 5 years older, was a close confidante and supporter of Harold and his family. Both brothers resided in Dearborn and raised their families just blocks from one another. Harold and Tom were devoted sons and always available for their mother who lived alone after their father died suddenly when Harold was 20. Tom would live to be 98 and since his passing in 2019, has been sorely missed by his younger brother. Harold graduated from the Henry Ford Trade School in 1943, and Dearborn High School in 1944. He also attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and was an active Michigan Alumnus, serving on Camp Council for the University of Michigan Alumni's Family Camp. It was Camp Michigania on Walloon Lake that served as the family's happy place for a week each summer and where Harold was fondly known as Hal. Some of his kids and grandkids would follow in his footsteps, prioritizing a week at Michigania as a prerequisite for a fun summer.

Harold's story wouldn't be complete without mention of the love he and Victoria shared for almost 77 years. He credited their long marriage to having patience, a short memory, and an unwavering commitment to their family. At a grandchild's wedding reception a few years ago, Harold spontaneously imparted the lyrics of George and Ira Gershwin, words that well describe the love story of Harold and Victoria: "The Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble. They're only made of clay. But our love is here to stay."

In recent years, Harold and Victoria resided in Novi then Milford, Michigan. Harder to get out and see the world now, he began walking the neighborhood, traveling over a mile each day to "get the kinks out" he would say. But the real joy of his walks, travels, coaching, family gatherings, and business dealings were his curiosity about people and things. He cared about you and whatever was going on in your life and took great interest in the world around him.

Since 2023, Harold has been lovingly cared for by Leonice Phillips, a devoted live-in caregiver who brought smiles to his and Victoria's life while helping with personal needs, and enhancing every aspect of their days. He also received dedicated service from devoted helper Susan Keim. Both women along with the steadfast care of his five children made it possible for Harold to live well and remain at home during the final years of his life.

Harold is survived by his wife Victoria, five children, Richard (Lesia), Rebecca (Howard), Amy (Dave), David, and Kathleen (Christopher). Harold also leaves behind 11 grandchildren Daniel (Alinne), Jeffrey (Kendi), Eric (Kate), Kyle (Paige), Brian (Taylor), Jordan, Wendy (Matthew), Ross (Hannah), Kimberly (Kevin), Philip (Christina), Aaron (Hannah), and 10 great grand children, Jace, Trey, Theodore, Londyn, Vivian, Connor, Blake, Calvin, Ethan, and Brooklyn.

Harold aka Hal, Dick, Dickie, Dad, Grandpa, and Papa D enriched countless lives and will be terribly missed by all who knew and loved him.