Arque Bradford Dickerson, 91 of St. Petersburg, FL, died Wednesday June 18, 2014.
Mr. Dickerson graduated from Sumner High School in St. Louis, MO, attended Washington and Lee University and Lincoln University, and graduated from Pratt Institute with a degree in industrial design. SFC Dickerson was a pilot in WWII for the famed Tuskegee airmen. After his military career, Mr. Dickerson was an industrial designer who redesigned aircraft instrument panels in the 1960s, and he designed custom aircraft interiors for the 125, 146, and 747 aircraft. Mr. Dickerson had his own interior design firm, Arque Dickerson Industrial Design, and during his career he worked for and with Sikorsky, Saab, Boeing, Northwest Air, Canada Air, Raytheon & British Aerospace. Notable interior designs included work for the Queen of England and the Swedish Royal Family. He was a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Prior to his time as an interior designer, Mr. Dickerson worked in the Jacque Marshall Advertising Agency in Manhattan, NY, where his work included projects for Timex.
He is survived by his children, Craig Dickerson, (Dolores) Brooklyn, NY, Birgitta (James Crowley) Dickerson, Still River, MA, Gabriella Smith, (Christopher Smith) Hartford, CT, Nicklas Dickerson, New Fairfield, CT, his sister, Doris Morgan, Claymont, DE; and six grandchildren: Olivia, Nate, and Alexa Smith, Rowan, Willow, and Tighe Crowley. He is also survived by his wife, Geraldine Dickerson, Great Britain, and his former wife, Ulla McNeil.
Mr. Dickersons children were presented an antique 48 star burial flag as that was the flag flying at the time of his WWll service. Major Norman Belson, USAR (Ret) made the presentation.
Mr. Dickerson is being buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Contributions can be made in his memory to the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 83395, Los Angeles, CA 90045 http://www.taisf.org/
Please sign the guestbook below.
How nice to meet Craig and Birgitta. Listening to the story of your dad's life made me regret never having met him. May God bless his memory and keep his entire family in peace. Jim Rudolph
It was an honor to know Arque and hearing all of his life stories. My thoughts and prayers go out to all members of my family.
Love,
Denise
Though I never had the honor of meeting Mr. Dickerson, I feel like I know him through my friendship with his sister, Doris Morgan. She has always been so proud of him and what he was able to achieve against the odds. I was honored recently to meet another Tuskeegee Airman in Little Rock, AR and am saddened by the loss of one of these VERY special gentlemen who overcame so much for our country and each shone like the bright stars they are or were.
Greetings
It was a privilege and a historical treat to have met and Spoken with my Uncle Mr Arque Dickerson.
One of my fondest memory of my uncle would be as a small child going to his gigantic house and being inspired by his Amazing story.
You will truly be missed and your name will ring thruout the annals of history!
Rest in Peace
James
My wife and I had the honor of meeting Mr. Dickerson at a cookout about 3 years ago where we found out who he was. We quickly became friends with him and his wife Geraldine. Arque was a regular guest at our home every Sunday for dinner. We loved to hear the stories of his life. It was like sitting at the dinner table with history. One of my favorite memories was taking him to see the movie Red Tails in which he really enjoyed. He will be a friend that we will never forget. R.I.P my friend.
Rest in peace, dear brother.
By all accounts a life well lived and if we can leave the world richer in spirit than when we arrived, mission accomplished.
Though I did not know Mr. Dickerson. As a friend of his son Nick, I know he must have been an amazing person to have raised such a wonderful person as a son. My deepest condolences to his family.
Sincerely,
Shawn P. Mahoney
R.I.P. We wish you a safe last flight “home”.
Lars and the boys in Sweden.
It was such an honor to get to know Arque. He was truly loved by our agency. What an amazing man and so classy.
Thinking of you.
A great guy who will be well missed, there was an occassion when James was small when he needed a hat for a school project,Arque sat with him for an age showing him how to make an Abe Lincoln stove pipe hat with a rabbit coming out the top – 1st prize guarenteed.
Sorry to see Arque leave us.
Vera
Shirley
Mary Lou
Helen
Mary
Harry
Rest in peace Arque, and thanks for all hours spent together with you in New Fairfield and in Bäckalyckan in Sweden.
Eva & Hans Eggestrand
I had the privilege of working with Arque on the DH 125 interior. He was a true gentleman and he taught me a lot about aircraft interiors. Although we lost contact many years ago my wife Kath and I often talk about him.