Paul Dickens
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Memorial services for Paul R. Dickens, 93, Lawrence, KS will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 14, 2010 at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. He donated his body to the Kansas University Medical Center for research. He died on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at The Windsor of Lawrence.
He was born on July 19, 1917 in Hill City, KS, the son of Charles & Pearl Rutherford Dickens.
During World War II, Mr. Dickens served as a Lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserves from March 1942 to January 1946.
He was a graduate of Kansas State University in 1940 and received his Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Emporia State University in 1958. While at Kansas State, he played baseball on the varsity baseball team and was a member of Phi Epsilon Kappa fraternity.
Mr. Dickens was a retired principal for USD #497 in Lawrence. He first served as principal at the Kaw Valley School in Lawrence from 1965- 1968 and later served as principal at Cordley Elementary School from 1968 – 1983, when he retired. Prior to moving to Lawrence, he was a principal, teacher, and coach in Cottonwood Falls, KS, Little River, KS and Newton, KS.
He loved high school and college sports and social events for senior citizens. He was an active participant in the Lawrence Senior Center activities including ballroom dancing. He was a member of the Central United Methodist Church in Lawrence and the Lawrence Area Catbackers. In 1998, he was presented a K-State letter jacket from the local Catbackers organization. He was a lifetime member of the National Education Association and a longtime member of the National Principal’s Association.
He was married to Geraldine “Gerri” Spohn on February 20, 1944 in Conway, Kansas. She preceded him in death on March 1, 1993.
Survivors include two daughters; Mary Kay Dickens, of Boca Raton, FL, Paula Sue Davies, of Gardner, KS, and a son, David C. Dickens, of Los Angeles, CA.
The family suggests memorials in his name to the Lawrence Schools Foundation (designated for Special Needs Children) or the Central United Methodist Church and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
I am so sorry to read about your father and my “old principal”. Mr. Dickens was my 8th grade principal in Cottonwood Falls. He found out some way I lived in Eudora and worked at the post office. He came to visit me a few times. My heart goes out to all of you. Thinking of you at this sad time.
He was a good and kind boss for the years I was secretary
at Cordley. He will be sorely missed
I’m so sorry for your loss. Mr. D was my principle at Cordley, (to his chagrin I’m sure). What a wonderful man! We were a rowdy bunch and although he tried to be stern, we always saw the gleam in his eye. His office (we saw a lot of it) was decorated Wildcat style, and we always gave him a hard time about that.
In his later years he kept in touch and even brought me a tin of candy at Christmas 8-9 years ago. He liked to tell me about his dancing and bowling. We were all so very fond of him.
Sincerely,
Angela Shivel Blanchard
I’m so sorry for your loss. Mr. D was my principle at Cordley, (to his chagrin I’m sure). What a wonderful man! We were a rowdy bunch and although he tried to be stern, we always saw the gleam in his eye. His office (we saw a lot of it) was decorated Wildcat style, and we always gave him a hard time about that.
In his later years he kept in touch and even brought me a tin of candy at Christmas 8-9 years ago. He liked to tell me about his dancing and bowling. We were all so very fond of him.
Sincerely,
Angela Shivel Blanchard
Mary, Paula, and David – I am very sorry to hear of your father’s death. I offer each of you all my sympathy, as my own father just died last month; so I understand what an extremely sad time this is for you.
Mary, I remember our 6th grade class together, your father being one of my favorite teachers. He caught me with a piece of gum one time, and told me if I wanted to keep it I would need to put it behind my ear (foolish me). You can well imagine how happy my mom was by the end of that day with gum in my hair.
If there is anything I can possibly do to help you out, I will certainly try. You are all in my prayers.