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Frank Dickman
Retired SP engineer
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Frank (Bud) Karl Dickman, age 89, passed away Tuesday, March 24,, from congestive heart failure.  

The lifelong resident of Manteca (and high school graduate of Manteca High School) was born on September 21, 1919 to his late parents Frederick and Anna.   

The Dickman brothers, Frederick, Albert, John, and Frank were well known in their youth for designing, building and racing cars and flying airplanes.  During WWII Frank took his piloting, engineering and mechanical skills into the Air Force where he earned his Air Force wings.  As a B17 pilot he flew 26 missions over Germany and was honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross, with four oak leaf clusters, for his heroism and extraordinary action on four separate occasions.  On his last mission, his plane’s tail was badly damaged and they could easily have returned to base but he and his crew were determined to complete their mission, and did so, successfully.  

The precision and determination Frank demonstrated in the Air Force was mirrored in his career with Southern Pacific Railroad as a locomotive engineer.  In a career that spanned 38 years, he was often recognized by his peers as one of the finest engineers on the railroad, and received an Eagle Eye award for spotting and responding to a hazardous rail line problem preventing a possible derailment.

When Frank retired from the SP railroad, he devoted his full-time efforts to working the family farm of 40 acres.  His pride and joy was his alfalfa field and later the almond orchard.   

Frank loved God, Family and Country.  He was part of what has been considered “the greatest generation.”  Frank epitomized this, as he was a devout Catholic, devoted father of six and a war hero who never asked for recognition.

Frank married Ruth Rhodd on May 14, 1950 and in a loving marriage of over 59 years, the two built a family of six children and two grandchildren.  He is survived by Ruth Odelia Dickman, his wife, children, Annette Dickman of San Diego, Fred Dickman, Frank Dickman, both of Manteca, Michelle Dickman and her husband, Michael Maloof of Idaho, Michael Dickman of Manteca, and James Dickman of Washington. He also leaves behind two adored grandchildren, Juliana Encinas and Jamie Dickman.

Mr. Dickman’s services are being handled by P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home of Manteca. Visitation will be on Thursday, March 26, from 1 to 7 p.m. followed by his rosary/vigil service at 7 p.m. at P.L .Fry & Son Funeral Home 290 N. Union Road, Manteca. Mass will be held on Friday, March 27, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church 19399 E. Highway 120, Ripon. Final resting place will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery 17871 S. Carrolton Road, Escalon.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Thursday, March 26,  2009