Michael Arnold Dickerson

Colonel (Ret.) Michael Arnold Dickerson, 83, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico passed away on March 11th at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque. He was born in Ashland, Kentucky in October 1937 to Chester Arnold and Dorothy Elizabeth (Webb) Dickerson.

Graduating with a bachelor's degree from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, Mike was a member of Beta Theta PI Fraternity. He earned his Master's degree in Mass Communication from Loyola University of Los Angeles and graduated from the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

Serving in the U.S. Army for 26 years, Mike's assignments took him to a variety of places ranging from New York to Tokyo, from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. He was in the Vietnam War, served a tour on the demilitarized zone in Korea. For three years he was an advisor to the motion picture and television industry for the Army in Los Angeles, California. He also served on the military staff for six Presidential Inaugurals. Among his various military awards, he received the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.

After retiring from the Army, Mike had an extensive career in Public Relations in Washington, D.C. In 1998, he became a public relations, advertising and communication educator at George Mason University (GMU) where he served as a faculty member for eighteen years. He led the London International Public Relations course for the university in London, England. He also produced the Communicator, a student magazine written by his Public Relations students. His leadership and vision lead to a robust internship program within the GMU Department of Communication. Mike's legacy in the department is the founding of the Insight Committee Advisory board, which continues to flourish today. He loved both teaching and motivating his students. He retired in 2016 at the age of 79 after a fall and debilitating injury.

As an active member of the Episcopal Church for 60 years, Mike served as both Junior and Senior Warden at Church of the Good Shepherd in Burke, Virginia and at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Herndon, Virginia. He was an advisor on the Diocese of Virginia Communication committee.

Among his various hobbies and interests, Mike demonstrated a profound love for art and music. He was a versatile artist working in multiple mediums and a talented musician playing several instruments. He shared his gift of playing acoustic guitar inspiring countless family and friends.

Mike is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy (Whalen) Dickerson; daughter, Jennifer Lynn (Richard) Hinkle; son, Michael Andrew (Emily); and son, Sean Edward (Pamela); and six grandchildren, Virginia, Olya, Mason, Grahm, Joseph and Anya; and three nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, Thomas.

Interment will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of his great service to our country.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the "Colonel Michael A. Dickerson Scholarship in Public Relations" at George Mason University. The link is: http://advancement.gmu.edu/iss05 under the "Colonel Dickerson Scholarship Endowment."