Robert Bruce Dickson

Robert Bruce Dickson–fondly known by most as just “Bob”–embarked upon his life’s journey on September 6th, 1937, in the modest town of Tyrone, Pennsylvania. Born to parents Warren and Margaret Dickson, he was the youngest of his six brothers and three sisters, and thus from his earliest days came to appreciate the value of family and community.

Upon finishing high school, Bob followed his brother Don out to the west coast, where he would eventually earn his masters degree in business from the University of Southern California. He witnessed firsthand the earliest days of the computer age, back when they were bulky machines that filled entire rooms and ran on punch cards and reels of magnetic tape. It inspired in him a lifelong love of technology that would permeate all of his professional and personal pursuits.

Opportunity later called Bob back east to a job with an accounting firm in Chicago, Illinois, and it was there that he met the love of his life, Judith Orr, whom he married on June 22nd, 1968. They welcomed their first son, Jeffrey, a year later just before moving their new family back out to sunny California, followed shortly by their daughter, Kathleen, two years after. With their family quickly outgrowing their small apartment in Anaheim, Bob and Judy decided it was finally time to complete their realization of the American Dream when they purchased their first house in 1973 in Garden Grove which would become their permanent homestead. They would later round out the family with the birth of their second son, Anthony, nine years later.

Bob and Judy would each go on to become pillars of their respective faith communities. As a member of St. Olaf’s Lutheran Church, Bob served in just about every way he could: as usher, council treasurer, pumpkin patch vendor, and even as an overnight watchman for the annual fireworks stand. Throughout his successive careers in systems analysis and education, he always made time for his church. Whenever they needed a hand, Bob was only too happy to offer it.

Following his retirement, Bob dedicated himself to easing his wife’s struggles with Parkinson’s Disease until her passing in 2013. Though greatly saddened by her loss, he found solace and joy in watching the family continue to thrive and grow for many more years to come.

After 87 long and love-filled years, Bob reached the end of his journey on June 6th, 2025. He did so during his sleep in the comfort of his own home with family close at hand–just the way he always wanted. He is survived by his sister, three children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild on the way. His legacy lives on, as will his spirit in the heavenly hereafter.

A visitation for Robert will be held Friday, June 20, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, 12432 9th St, Garden Grove, CA 92840. A funeral service will occur Friday, June 20, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 12432 9th St, Garden Grove, CA 92840. A graveside service will occur Friday, June 20, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 7845 Santiago Cyn Rd, Orange, CA 92869.