Frank C. Dickson Jr.

1940 - 2014

Frank C. Dickson II, 74, of Penn Township passed away Friday evening at home due to complications from recent heart surgery.
Born on Jan. 3, 1940, in Butler, Frank was the older son of John and Marion (Ludwick) Dickson.
Frank and his beloved wife, Mary Succop Dickson, were married on Aug. 31, 1962.
Frank was a graduate of the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and Yale University, Class of 1962, where he received his degree in electrical engineering.
Having earned an NROTC scholarship for his undergraduate studies, Frank was placed directly into the U.S. Navy upon graduation. He proudly served four years as a submariner, primarily in the North Atlantic base in Groton, Conn. Honorably discharged at the rank of lieutenant in 1966, Frank returned with Mary to Butler County to raise their growing family.
Frank worked for 41 years at American Roller Bearing and was president from 1984 to 2007, when he retired. He also served as vice president of the Brownsdale Corp. during this same time period. He had a brilliant mind for business and computers and was able to combine the two and successfully computerize the company's operations. Frank also served on the Board of Rex-Hide Industries for 45 years.
The theme of community service was a constant in most of Frank's adult life. He was twice elected to the South Butler County School Board and also served a lengthy period with Penn Township Planning Commission.
As a devoted lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Butler, Frank taught Sunday school classes for many years.
In recent times, Frank and Mary enjoyed travel with friends to Europe and South Africa. With greater zeal, they frequently visited their widely dispersed children and grandchildren. A portion of the retirement years have been spent in Naples, Fla., where visits from family are highly anticipated and joyfully received. In all of these locations, Frank was enabled to pursue his chief personal passion, reading American history, especially biography.
In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Dickson Barnfather (Eric).
He is survived and will be sorely missed by Mary, his wife of 51 years, and his brother, John Dickson, and his wife, Carole. Surviving children include, Marion Elizabeth Dickson Marchionni (Bill) of Atlanta, Ga., David Ludwick Dickson (Laura) of Salida, Colo., Frank Craig Dickson III (Liz) of Baltimore, Md., Mary Leora Dickson Citrino (Rob) of Old Brookville, N.Y., Sonia Succop Dickson of New York City, and Andrew Foley Dickson (Anne) of Pittsburgh.
Grandchildren include, Tommy and Emily Dickson of Baltimore, Md., Robbie, Dean and Marion Citrino of Old Brookville, N.Y., William and James Marchionni of Atlanta, Ga., Eric and Brittney Barnfather of Pittsburgh, Craig and Sarah Dickson of Salida, Colo., and George and Foster Dickson of Pittsburgh, and many nieces and nephews also survive.
Dickson - The friends of Frank C. Dickson II, who passed away Friday, May 23, 2014, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church, 200 E. North St. Butler, with Pastor Eric Park officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the Butler County YMCA, 339 N. Washington St., Butler, PA 16001, or to the First United Methodist Church, 200 E. North St., Butler, PA 16001.
Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.