Robert Winn Dickerman

Robert Winn Dickerman, 87, of Springfield, died on Saturday, December 24, 2011 at his home. Robert was born December 30, 1923 in Springfield, the son of Ruth Winn and Henry Holmes Dickerman. He lived all his life in Springfield, growing up at 4th and Scarritt Streets. He married Barbara Drake on June 27, 1953. Robert attended Stuart Grade School and graduated from Springfield High School in January of 1942. He briefly attended Springfield Junior College before entering the Army, serving from 1943 to 1945 in France, Germany, and England. While in the Army, he went to the University of Edinburgh for a year, then returned home to attend the University of Michigan and earned a Master's Degree in Math and Actuarial Science. Returning home in 1948, he joined the Actuarial Department at Franklin Life Insurance Company. He remained there until his retirement in 1986 as Assistant Vice President. His lifelong avocation was horticulture, in all of its phases. At his property, along Lake Springfield, he planted an extensive variety of trees and shrubs and kept an annual garden of vegetables and cutting flowers with broad expanses of daffodils and spring blooms. A big event was "Cider Sunday" in October when four neighboring families collaborated in making cider from their orchards. In recent years, he also made maple syrup from trees he had planted years ago. His extensive library was another passion, which he shared with his wife and four sons, Jim, Henry, Bob and Chris. He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James Holmes. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his sons, James (wife, Libby), Henry, Robert (wife, Beth), and Chris (wife, Serena); grandchildren, Noah, Alex, Lucy, Simon, and Sophie Dickerman; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. An additional visitation will be held from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 30, 2011 at Christ Episcopal Church. Funeral Ceremony: 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 30, 2011 at Christ Episcopal Church, 611 East Jackson St., Springfield. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Christ Episcopal Church, 611 East Jackson St., Springfield, IL 62701 or St. John's Hospital Hospice Program, 800 East Carpenter St., Springfield, IL 62702.