Charles W. Dickson, Jr.

Charles W. Dickson Jr., 98, of Des Moines, IA, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025. Charles was born on August 9, 1926 in Des Moines, IA, the son of Charles (Sr) and Delta (Snow) Dickson of Des Moines, IA. Charles attended Smouse Opportunity School in his early years due to having bronchitis. He then attended Callanan Jr. High and Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, IA. Charles attended Drake University in Des Moines, IA where he earned his undergraduate degree. He later attended graduate school at Western Reserve in Cleveland, OH where he earned a master’s degree in Theater.

Charles was extremely proud of his military service in the Army. He served in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. In World War II, Charles was an enlisted man in the 108th Regimental Combat Team (Infantry) in the South Pacific theatre of operation. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and decorated with the Bronze Star. Charles would later be recalled to service in the Korean Conflict and served overseas as a Battalion Adjutant in an Infantry Regiment.

In 1954, he married Sigrid Becker, with whom he was parent to Emily, Robert, and Thomas. Charles and Sigrid would divorce in the mid-70’s and was a bachelor for the remainder of his life.

Charles served as Chairman of the Speech Department at Wartburg College, in Waverly, IA, from 1953-1957. He then moved to Des Moines and served as Producer-Director of KDPS FM-TV from 1957-1959. Charles then became a professor at Grand View College from 1960-1985. He ended his teaching career there as the Chairman of the Department of Speech and Theatre Arts, and was the Director of the Theater. One of proudest achievements, beyond being a positive mentor to many students, was his implementation and design for building a new theatre building, after having spent countless years with his theatre productions being conducted at the Old Main campus building. Charles also co-authored two college level textbooks in Public Speaking while at Grand View.

Charles spent a majority of his life split between his family home in Des Moines, IA and the house he helped build in beautiful Door County, WI (Sister Bay). In Des Moines, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church, was active in both the Drama Workshop and the Des Moines Community Playhouse both as a director and an actor. He volunteered his time through the Public Schools being a reading mentor to young students. In Door County, he was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Ellison Bay. He volunteered many years at the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Meal Site, The Ridges, a docent at The Noble House, Birch Creek Music Center where he served a term as President of the Associates, an usher at Peninsula Players, and for many years was a well-known historical storyteller for the Fish Boils held at Rowleys Bay Resort.

Charles will be missed by his children, Emily Gaylord of Des Moines, Robert Dickson (Lizabeth) of Egg Harbor, WI, and Thomas Dickson (Janell) of De Pere, WI; grandchildren, Callie, Bradley, Molly, Maxwell, Anne, Jeremy; along with six great-grandchildren. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Clarence.

Graveside committal and military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 9, 2025 at Blossomberg Cemetery at Peninsula State Park. 

Memorials can be made in his name to the following organizations that Charles volunteered his time, Birch Creek Music Performance Center (birchcreek.org) or The Noble House (historicnoble.org).

The family would like to send sincere thanks to the staff at Serenity Springs (and Unity Hospice), in Sister Bay, where Charles spent the last four years of his amazing life.

Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC in Sturgeon Bay are assisting the Dickson family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Charles may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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