Charles Dick

1937 - 2018

Charles Dick

Berlin - On May 5, 2018 Dr. Charles Edward Dick, widower of his loving wife of 57 years Vivian Clare Dick (nee' Makowski), peacefully passed away at Peninsula Regional Medical Center after a short illness.

Known as "Charlie" or "Chuck" to many of his friends, Charles was born on April 24, 1937 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and is the oldest child of Melvin and Virginia Laemmle Dick.

Charles was the first person in his family to attend college, earning a Bachelor's of Science degree in Physics from St. Procopius College (now known Benedictine University), finishing first in the graduating class of 1958.

More importantly, he met his future wife Vivian who was attending nearby St. Francis College (now known as the University of St. Francis) at a college "mixer" social event. Upon graduation, Charles accepted a fellowship to continue his studies at the University of Notre Dame, earning a PhD in Physics in 1962.

Dr. Dick accepted a job with the federal government at the National Bureau of Standards - NBS (now known as the National Institute of Standards and Technology - NIST), moving to Washington, DC in October, 1962.

Dr. Dick worked for NBS/NIST for more than 35 years as an experimental physicist in the X-Ray Physics Group of the Ionizing Radiation Division of the Center for Radiation Research. He was in charge of several electron accelerators along with several industrial type X-ray machines. He supervised the design and construction of the Medical and Industrial Radiation Facility (MIRF) which is used, among other things, for the development and testing of instruments and dosimetry systems used in the clinical facilities for cancer radiation treatments.

Dr. Dick was the author of over 60 scientific articles and book contributions and he was one of the inventors of a Method of Producing an Intense High Purity K X-ray Beam (US Patent #3752989). He belonged to the Society of the Sigma Xi, American Physical Society, and American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Charles was a devoted father who coached his children Timothy Michael Dick and Victoria Marie Brockdorff in football, baseball, basketball, soccer and track at the Olney Boys Club, Manor Boys Baseball League and St. Patrick's CYO. He was also a golf enthusiast & member of the Brook Manor Country Club in Olney for many years.

Charles and his beloved wife Vivian retired to Ocean Pines, MD in 1998 where Charles' love of golf continued and he was a member of the Ocean Pines Golf Club, the Beach Club and the Ocean City Golf and Yacht Club. He also enjoyed square dancing with his wife as a member of the Pinesteppers Square Dance Club and he enjoyed playing bridge.

Charles was a member of Saint John Neumann Catholic Church at the time of his passing. As a parishioner at St. John Neumann, he was a long time usher, serving at the Saturday evening Mass for many years.

Charles is survived by his son and his wife, Timothy M. Dick (Teresa Lemay Dick); his daughter, Victoria M. Brockdorff; his grandchildren Shelby Brockdorff, Ryan Brockdorff and Charles D. Dick; and his sisters Sharon Smith, Marcia Malles, and Mary Bolin (Willie). He was preceded in death by his brother Richard Dick and his brothers-in-law Gene Smith and Larry Malles.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 11, 2018 at Burbage Funeral Home from 4-6 PM. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, May 12 at 11 AM at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. Friends and family may visit one hour prior to service. Interment will follow at Garden of the Pines Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers please donate to Habitat for Humanity at 908 W. Isabella Street, Salisbury, MD 21801 and Benedictine University at 5700 College Road Lisle, IL 60532. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family at www.burbagefuneralhome.com.