Richard G. "Dick" Dawson

I'm sorry to hear of Dick's passing but I'm glad I stumbled across his obituary. One spring day in 1967, a piece of paper blew across the front lawn of our house in Gladstone, Missouri. I intercepted it and discovered it was a flyer for a science camp in Swope Park. Though only about 10 years old, i convinced my parents to send me off to Camp Hope, where i continued as a camper every summer through 1971, and exited as a Junior Counselor in 1972. Needless to say, I had daily exposure to Dick...

I found Mr. Dawson's course description for his World Futuristics course in an old pile of stuff. It's a lovely epitaph. Here it is- World Futuristics Shawnee Mission South High School This course is, I hope, about Morals, about Ethics, about how we treat each other, about how we live with the other creatures of the planet, about how we learn to understand the interrelations of the biosphere and lithosphere and atmosphere and hydrosphere, and about...

In 1960 Richard and Ellie Dawson changed my life by teaching me I could do anything with my own abilities. These people are the heart of saving the people and the planet from mindless acts of destruction. God Bless both of them and their family. Linda Meyers-Moore, SM North HS Class of 1960-62 (graduated at 15). Millionaire by 40 by using my God gifted talents they inspired within me.

I had Mr Dawson at SMS and he is one of the few teachers I remember as he recognized Earth Day the first year it started Rest In Peace.

I didn't have Mr. Dawson as a teacher, but he did lead the sponsor environmental club at SMS. He was passionate about science and it was contagious. His legacy of knowledge sharing will be passed on for generations.

Mr. Dawson was an amazing teacher. He knew how to engage his students, something that is quite rare. It was always a great day when we got to go out to the SMESL. My sister also had him and was a member of the SMESL group. The name escapes me right now. Thank you for making learning fun. My heart goes out to his family.

I graduated SMS in 1973. Mr. Dawson was one of only two teachers I remember in the three years I attended school there. He made Biology Class interesting. I'd say that very significant.

So sad to hear of Dick's passing! He was my friend/mentor for 50 years starting with when I attended his Swope Park Science Camp and came back year after year. That camp was one of the most character building/values shaping experiences of my life -- and among my fondest childhood memories. I only much later learned that many of the songs (which I still love singing today) came from his UU roots. Dick inspired my deep love of science from an early age, and conveyed his view of me as capable...

I am sorry for your loss. I had Mr. Dawson in Biology at SMS and remember his energy and passion for both science and explaining it to students. My thoughts are with you and your family.