Richard Leslie Dixon was born December 28, 1930, in King County to parents John and Luella Dixon. During his early childhood he explored young Seattle and surrounding areas and often made his way to the University of Washington where his father worked as an electrician.  He attended sports events there, not because he wanted to watch the games, but to get popcorn and peanuts from the cart vendor.

It was a lucky day for 9-year-old Dick when he, his mother, father, and little sister relocated to the UW Oceanography Labs in Friday Harbor, Washington.  There, scientists abound, he found himself questioning, conversing (and possibly pestering) them about marine life and the Scientific Method. Through his exploration and adventures, he learned to love the water and island environment including boats, boats, boats which he had from an early age. He never felt quite complete without a boat.

He graduated in 1949 from Friday Harbor High School and started college at Central Washington University.  When the Korean War broke out, he enlisted in the Navy where he was an Aerographer, or as he said, a "weather guesser", on the aircraft carrier USS Boxer. When asked how long he was in the Navy, he consistently replied "3 years, 9 months and 29 days".

Soon after leaving the Navy, he enrolled in Western Washington College of Education, now Western Washington University. It was there he met his future wife Carolyn in a biology class in the spring of 1955. He and Carolyn shared nearly 65 years of marriage.   He graduated in 1957 with a BS in Geography and a BA in Education and he took his first professional job, teaching 5 ^th grade at Madison School in Mount Vernon.  Son John was born in 1959 and they moved to Edmonds where Richard went on to study Geography at the University of Washington.  He was offered a job at Mount Vernon High school teaching Earth Science, and later Washington State History and Geography.  At one point, he managed the planetarium for astronomy classes and gave popular night classes for the public. During his teaching career he was known for his innovative learning approaches using Learning Activity Packets (LAP) and experiences such as Outdoor School.  His ongoing love of learning took him (and the whole family) to a year at Utah State University where he received a master's degree in Economics.

After a successful teaching career, Dick retired in 1992.  This allowed he and Carolyn to boat, explore campgrounds in their RV, travel around the US and western Europe, fish, clam, crab and attend theater and other cultural events. They loved to adventure with grandkids, attend their many sporting events, recitals, plays and school activities. He proudly served many years on the shellfish advisory board of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.  He became an avid sailor, and enjoyed success in racing, winning many trophies with his O'day 25, affectionately known by his competitors as 'Fishnet'.

He was a wonderful family man and a friend to many.  He will be remembered with love and missed by all who knew him.  Richard (Dad and Grandpa) is survived by wife Carolyn, son John (Sally), daughter Elaine (Dick), son Paul (Robyn), son Tom (Jennifer); grandkids Sam (Bailey), Jack, William (Madeline), Delaney, Megan, Emily, Abigale (Brandon), Cameron, Joel, Ethan, and great grandson Xander. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Louie Munch and his wife JaneAnn. They are grateful for the memories that will keep him always in their hearts.

Sadly, Dick's sister Jonna Sundeleaf also passed peacefully on the same day in her home in Milwaukie Oregon.  He is survived by his niece Kerrie Sundeleaf, grandniece Natalie Sept, grandnephew Chris Sept and nephew Sam Sundeleaf.

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 11, 2022, at 2:00pm at Hillcrest Park Lodge in Mount Vernon.  Masks are optional.  Memorial donations may be given to a favorite charity.

Please visit www.hawthornefh.com to share your thoughts and memories and sign the online guest register.

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.