Arthur Dickman
Arthur Raymond Dickman, 81, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather died May 30, 2021, at his home in Two Rivers, Alaska.
A Celebration of Life service will be held July 17 at 2:00 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Community Center, 7234 Anders Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99712.
Art was born in Staples June 3, 1939 to Richard and Iris Dickman. On June 29, 1961 he married Phyllis LaValle, who was smitten with him since the first day she laid eyes on him on their elementary school bus. Together they brought their family to Two Rivers, AK in 1975, where they remained the rest of their lives.
Art was a machinist/mechanic by trade, but was so much more than that. He was a creative genius who taught himself the ‘art’ of welding and fabricating. There was nothing he could not build; from his own sawmill to a modified John Deere dozer with tires to use as a log skidder at the sawmill, a log loader, a boom truck with a dump box, a BBQ station for HC Price’s raffle, a 1950-ish Bluebird bus he converted to a fully-equipped RV, a homemade tractor, a hustler commercial mower converted to a 6-wheeler dozer with independent suspension front, rear blades and a Subaru engine, an automated quilting machine, road safety rumble strip device made for HC Price back in the 80’s. When he was not creating his stuff, he was rebuilding front end loaders and dozers, bringing them back to their former glory. His shop was his daughters’ personal service station, where he spent hours keeping their vehicles running.
Art was a wonderful husband and father. He placed high expectations on family values, ensuring his family understood the importance and value of each other. If a family member were struggling, he would rally the troops (family) to support the needs of that family member. Together, they built and rebuilt houses for each other or gathered for weekly lunches to lift the mood of a family member in need.
Art is survived by six children, Danny (Debbie) Dickman, Richard (Sophia) Dickman, Tammy Rasmussen, Sherri (Jim) Soileau, Lisa (Allan) Coty, and Wanda (Jeff) Bezona; 19 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, as well as countless in-laws, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Art is preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Dickman; parents; all 12 of his siblings, as well as countless in-laws, nephews, nieces and cousins.
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