Col. Bernard "Alan" Dickson USAF Reserve

Col. Bernard "Alan" Dickson, USAF Reserve, passed away on July 18, 2018 in Encino, CA of Lewy Body Dementia, surrounded by his loving family. The first born son of a naval commander, Alan was instilled with a strong work ethic and love for country and service. These qualities, along with a passion for knowledge, served him well during college at Yale (1965) and Harvard Law School (1968). Alan proudly served his country for 24 years as an Air Force JAG. In 1972 the Air Force paid for him to earn a degree in government procurement law from George Washington University. This became his specialty. He was honored by being chosen Air Force JAG of the year in 2002. After he left active duty in New Mexico, he stayed in his beloved Reserves. During this time he built a private practice in Los Angeles. He went on to a four-decade career as a leading national expert in government contracts law, representing many players in the military-industrial complex. In 1967, Alan married Lynn Johnson and had children Sean Patrick and Erika Lynn (Thompson). In 1987 he married the love of his life, Barbara Jean Lederman Kafka, and settled down in Encino. Alan had a passion for many things, including world history, literature, competitive swimming, body surfing, gardening and music. The son of two opera singers, he taught himself to play guitar, piano, and kazoo, and served as the surprise entertainer, with hilarious maneuvers, at many a dinner party. Language was also one of Alan's many talents. He exercised a flawlessly sophisticated command of the written language. He was pretty fluent in several languages, including American Sign Language for his deaf daughter. Alan leaves behind his loving wife of 31 years, his son and daughter, step-daughter Karen Joy Daniels, his four grandsons: Ethan Dickson, Caleb Thompson, Blake Thompson, and Ryan Daniels, and his brothers Ron and Gordon Dickson. A Celebration of his Life will be a private gathering. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association. Alan's presence made our world a richer place.