Photo courtesy of Smith & Gaston Funeral Services, Inc. - Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Jun 24, 1925 – Jun 11, 2015
Robert L. (Coach Dick) Dickerson was born June 24, 1925, in Jasper, Alabama to the late Rev. George and Julia Nash Dickerson. He was the ninth of eleven children and accepted Christ at an early age. In 1939, the family moved to Birmingham after his father was called to pastor First Baptist Church of Kingston where he Robert an active and dedicated member until his passing on Thursday, June 11, 2015.
Robert attended A. H. Parker High School. World War II interrupted his high school studies and he enlisted in the US Navy, serving his country in the US Submarine Services. At the end of the war, he enrolled in Tuskegee Institute where he met his future wife, Mildred Thompson. They were married on December 9, 1950 and to this union was born three loving children: Robert (Bob), Jr., Glenn and Vernetta.
His coaching career began as a student at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) where he served as assistant coach under the legendary Coach Cleve Abbot who later became a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Coach Dickerson emulated many of Coach Abbott's practice techniques, drills and developed his own ability to motivate athletes while still at Tuskegee Institute.
The eighty-nine years that he lived bore a legacy of dedication to the success of others. Coach Dickerson was focused on the education of young people. This is reflected in the scores of students that he was instrumental in assisting to attend college. Although he coached baseball and basketball, Coach Dickerson was most noted as an exceptionally successful high school football coach. Teams coached by Coach Dick were known to be tenacious, aggressive and extremely difficult to defeat.
After retirement in 1984, he remained active selling insurance, being involved in a sickroom supply company, and most notably in the Tuskegee University Alumni Association. Two of his many awards and accomplishments include being inducted into the Tuskegee University Athletic Hall of Fame and receiving the Tuskegee University Merit Award. Robert loved First Baptist Kingston and served as chairman of Men's Day for over 15 years.
Friends may view Coach Dick on Wednesday from 12 Noon – until 9:00 PM at Smith and Gaston Southside. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday at 6:00 PM at Jackson-Olin High School. The celebration of his life will be observed on Thursday, June 18, 2015, 11:00 AM at First Baptist Kingston. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery.
Coach Dick! A fun person to be around.
Lane Billingsley
November 06, 2020 | Student
To the Dickerson Family,
On behalf of the Charleston Base SUBVETS and Swamp Fox Chapter SUBVETS WWII, I offer you our sincere condolences on Robert's passing. We grieve with you on the loss of your loved one and all SUBVETS and their families have your family in our thoughts and prayers. There is no expiration date on the back of our dolphins and Robert will always be remembered as a Brother of the Phin, a member of our Greatest Generation, and a great Patriot.
Robert...
Nick Nichols
July 05, 2015 | SC
Ray Thompson i was number 30 on the basketball team and a water boy for coach Dickerson when I was in elementary school Councill wolf pack
Ray Thompson
June 28, 2015 | Birmingham, AL
I was so saddened by the news of Coach Dickerson's death. He was such an excellent role model for not only the young people he coached and taught but for all of us. I was lucky enough to teach Vernetta, and what a joy that was. Coach Dickerson's death is a tremendous loss not only for his friends and family but for our community. My heart goes out to his family. Sally Furse
June 21, 2015
With Deepest Sympathy
Linda Jones Davis
Class of 69
Westfield High School
Linda Davis
June 20, 2015 | Fredericksburg, VA
To Bob & Family may God give you peace during this time, your father was a great inspiration to myself and everyone that knew him.
Eddie Robinson
June 20, 2015 | Moody, AL
So sorry for your loss Dickerson Family.
Your friend/church member--Lynn Blakely Brown
June 19, 2015
To the Dickerson Family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Dickerson. I'll always remember Coach fondly and feel lucky that I had the pleasure of playing for him. Coach Dickerson will truly be missed.
Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same.
P. D. Jackson-Olin High School
Class of 1981
Marchette Gulley
June 19, 2015 | Murphy, TX
To the entire Dickerson family especially the wife and children. My prayers are with you during this difficult time. The God of Comfort will comfort you.
Shirley Craig- Evans
June 18, 2015 | Bessemer, AL