Mark Daniel Dickinson

Mark Daniel Dickinson, (66), of Albuquerque, died on Saturday, September 21, 2013, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Surrounded by his family, he died peacefully at home. Born October 30,1946, in Spokane, Washington, Mark was the son of Ralph and Alice Dickinson. He was a graduate of Gonzaga Preparatory High School in Spokane, WA; Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, WA; Troy State University at Ramstein Air Base, Germany; and a US Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam. In 1970, he received a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from WSU; in 1972, he received a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from WSU;and a Master's Degree in Business Management from Troy State University in 1981. While serving in the USAF, he was a Project Engineer, an Air Staff Training Officer, a NW Compatibility Engineer, and a Staff Officer to the US Dept. of Energy. During his military career, he was stationed in Washington DC, was an advisor to NATO, and deployed to Vietnam. After serving in the USAF, Mark worked as a Senior Electrical Engineer at Analytic Services Inc. in Arlington, VA. In 1986, he began a career at Sandia National Laboratories which he continued until his passing. While at Sandia, Mark worked in staff and management positions in several departments including Nuclear Emergency Response; Systems Integration Technical Support; NWC Requirements Integration and Management Standards; Design Quality; Stockpile Management Planning and Operations; Military Liaison; Special Command and Control; Laboratory Program Development; and Advanced Weapon Development. He made important and enduring contributions to signal intelligence, counter intelligence, nuclear weapon command and control, emergency response, and nuclear weapon research and development. Mark was known to his colleagues, friends, and relatives as a compassionate, caring gentleman who always had a smile on his face. Sharing his enthusiasm and zest for life, he never hesitated to put others' needs and feelings above his own. He was a devoted and loving husband and father. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. Survivors include his wife, Patty; two daughters, Megan Raedel and husband Michael of Vancouver, Washington, and Chelsea Dickinson of Albuquerque; 2 brothers, David Dickinson of Waimea, Hawaii, and Matthew Dickinson of Kirkland, Washington; and 1 sister, Carollee Kraut, of Camas, Washington; and many extended family members. Mark lived and loved out loud. He ALWAYS put family first. He LOVED being a dad. He chose to see the good in people. He never met a stranger (when his daughters were younger, they often asked him "dad, do you know everybody?). He had an awesome sense of humor and loved pulling pranks on people. Laughter was a part of every day for him. Mark was always willing to help - with friends and neighbors, he was the "go to" guy. He loved all things technical and IT related (especially his Apple Iphone and Ipad), always up on the latest, and loved to talk about it with anyone who would listen! He was a voracious reader, making sure he had another book at the ready when finishing one. Mark loved the water, growing up water skiing, boating, and fishing. He got hooked on hot air ballooning and made sure his calendar was clear for that all important first week of October when the Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Festival rolled around, making sure his crazy balloon hat was ready to go. Mark loved doing projects around the house and enjoyed taking care of his beautiful backyard. Other things that remind us of Mark are Starbucks, Costco polish sausages, the Rolling Stones, and, of course, that yellow Corvette. Of all his accomplishments, the one most important to Mark was his care of and unconditional love for Patty, Megan, and Chelsea. It was what he truly excelled at. How blessed we are. Incredible love, incredible man. "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6 Memorial contributions towards pancreatic cancer research may be made to: . A gathering in Mark's honor will be held on Friday, October 18, 2013.