Richard Allan Dicks was born in Orange County, CA where his father worked for State Farm Insurance and his mother was a nurse. At an early age they moved to Bunnell, FL and he went to school. Technically, he did not graduate from high school but snuck into classes at Daytona Community College and graduated with a BA in Finance from present-day UCF (University of Central Florida). While in high school, he worked at Publix.
Following his graduation he was hired for the mail room at IBM (he was the only one who sent a ‘thank you’ note to his interviewer for taking the time to consider him – a lifelong trait of his.)
He met Amy for the first time when she worked as a Dental Assistant and he came in for a cavity filling. They were married May 10, 1986 at the Methodist Church in Altamonte Springs, FL. During his career (his entire career was at IBM) they lived in Miami, FL where Tom was born; then the Lake Mary, FL area where Ryan was born; Scottsdale, AZ and finally Largo, FL. He retired in 2016 – having risen in the ranks through sales distribution, Global Financing, software and captive leasing, and finally as the IBM General Manager for Global Asset Recovery Services. He was a board member of the Florida Children’s Physicians and Surgeons and the Florida Hospital Foundation. He also was a member of IGF Global Leadership Committee, IGF Global Deal Review Board and the IBM Global Innovation and Values Team.
For the last few years, while their dream home was being built in Rockledge on the Indian River, he and Amy lived in Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach. Throughout their marriage they were very involved in local churches. They worshipped at Faith “Viera” Lutheran in Viera, FL for the last three years where he was involved in ushering and mentoring support for college students.
Richard’s hobbies included fishing, fishing, and more fishing. He also golfed and in particular loved to mentor students and young business entrepreneurs. His financial acumen was not only a “job” but an enjoyable pastime. He was quite involved in buying, fixing up, and renting properties in FL as President of his and Amy’s company RAD Residential Properties, LLC.
He loved God, was a good father and husband, and he loved to help and serve others. People always wanted to hear what Richard had to say because he knew a little bit about everything – and he was always talking about YOU, not about himself.
He is predeceased by his father in 2008; survived by his wife of 32 years, Amy; his son Thomas and daughter-in-law Ariana of Durham, NC, son Christopher “Ryan” of Nashville, TN, mother Nancy of Ormond Beach, FL, sister Diana and brother-in-law Steve of Sanibel, FL, and cousin James, his wife Ashley and their daughter Evelyn of Birmingham, AL.
Memorials are requested to “HelptheLagoon.org” (web site donation) or The Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition, PO Box 510492, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
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