David W. DICK

With what is happening so far this year, I wish that I could talk to you one more time, GrandDad, just to hear your thoughts. I know you are still missed by family and former students, and we are, to quote from the movie that you told me I should see, "your symphony".

It is now 2025, and I still think of you and the wonderful influence on my life. May your memory be a blessing to those who knew and loved you.

I will always miss him, and still wish that I had asked him more about his time growing up or how he got interested in fencing

Col. Dick was a wonderful teacher and fine man. I still miss him.

Every year, I wish GrandDad Happy Birthday on Facebook, which I have no doubt he would have been on—expressing his opinions, hearing from all of his former students and even commenting on posts that we as family make. I also realize more and more each day how much he influenced me on how I treat others. I miss him, and I hope that I will be half the person he was.

I think often of my Uncle David but particularly around his birthday, which was a few days ago. He was my model for living a life of learning and curiosity. He encouraged my interest in photography, rocks and geology. As I write this I am looking at my collection of books about rocks---all gifts from Uncle David. I also have his rock pick! He was a wonderful man and terrific uncle. I miss him everyday.

I majored in Biology at Hampden-Sydney and the Colonel gets the credit AND the blame. LOL I still remember hearing (more than once) from him when I answered a question incorrectly. Thats ok, Waters. Biology will be a lot easier when you take it again next year. LOL He was possibly the most memorable teacher from my years at HRA.

I was privileged to have the Colonel as my Biology teacher while I was at HRA. Though I didn't excel at the subject, he made it so interesting that I decided to get my degree in it when I went to Hampden-Sydney. Fortunately, I was prepared for college bio...Chemistry? Not so much.

I often think about the Colonel's witty remarks. One that I heard more than once after providing an incorrect answer was, That's ok Waters. Biology will be a lot easier when you take it again next year. LOL

I served with COL Dick in the San Jose Project at San Jose Island & at St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands in 1947-1950. He was a fine officer - I remember him well.