Fred Dickinson: Oral History - March 26, 1992

Recording date: 3/26/1992
Speaker: Frederick W. Dickinson (1907 - May 21, 2000)
This recording was provided by the Empire Area Museum. It was transcoded for internet distribution by Traverse Area Community Media as part of the Reflections Oral History Project.
More Empire Area oral histories can be found in the Reflections archive here:
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Obituary, published in the Record Eagle:
Frederick W. Dickinson
Died May 21, 2000
GLEN LAKE - Frederick W. Dickinson, 92, of Glen Lake, passed away Sunday at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
Mr. Dickinson was born in 1907 near Chicago and was raised in Hinsdale, Illinois. He was the son of William F. Dickinson, a railroad official and attorney for Rock Island and Pacific Railroads, and Ruth Dickinson who was descended from a long line of artists. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, and a brother, Robert.
Mr. Dickinson was educated at the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO. During his membership with the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, he composed the words and lyrics for music, which eventually became the fraternity's sweetheart song. This piece was incorporated into the fraternity's songbook in 1928. He was drawn by the surrounding country side resulting in a life-long love for the Rocky Mountains. Many times he climbed his beloved Long's Peak.
Mr. Dickinson began coming to Glen Lake in 1912, and a family home was built on the south side of Little Glen Lake in 1923. In 1938 Fred built his home nearby where he had resided since that time. He married Julia F. Terry in 1942 and together they acquired the Leelanau Enterprise, which they published and edited together until 1949.
Mr. Dickinson held a love for the beauty of the landscapes surrounding him in the Sleeping Bear area which resulted in the producing of many early black and white photographs that he hand colored and sold in his gallery. His photographs are found on the walls of many cottages and homes in many areas. He operated his photo gallery for many years and the gallery still continues today. Mr. Dickinson also traveled extensively and photographed throughout Europe.
One of Mr. Dickinson's greatest enjoyments was listening to music of the symphonic and operatic repertoire and playing works by Chopin on his piano. He enjoyed oil painting, traveling, reading, and working on his property.
Fred Dickinson was one of the founders of the Glen Lake Association and the Leelanau County Prospectors Club. He was a member of the Suttons Bay Rotary Club, Empire Lions Club and the Sleeping Bear Noontiders.
He is survived by his wife, Julia Terry Dickinson, three children, Grace Johnson of Glen Lake, William F. Dickinson of East Bloomfield, NY, and Terry Dickinson of Cedar, four grandsons, and one great-grandson.
To honor his life, a private ceremony will be held. Memorials may be made to the Empire fire and rescue, or the Empire Heritage Society of Empire.
The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.