- Date Of Birth: June 22, 1926
- Date Of Death: June 10, 2009
- State: Florida
SIEGEL MARTIN DICKMAN, “Dick”
On June 10, 2009 “Dick” had his homecoming in heaven. This was the day he was scheduled to come home from the hospital following eleven weeks of care and treatment for cancer.
He was born June 22, 1926 in Toledo Ohio raised in the area of Los Angeles, CA served his country around the world and made Fort Walton Beach his home.
In 1945 he joined the Army Air Corp, which later became the US Air Force, and served his country for over twenty four years. He was a test pilot and also a fighter pilot. He flew most planes fro P-51 to F-104 and the B-26. He defended freedom and represented our country in the Panama Canal Zone, Guatemala, Iran, Republic of the Congo, and Germany. In Korea he flew more than 100 combat missions, sometimes eight per day, and sixty–six in Viet Nam.
He was a silent hero, the recipient of many medals including multiple awards of The Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Force Commendation Medal. In Korea his plane was brought down by enemy fire and he avoided capture when rescued by helicopter and crew. He also survived another plane crash but this did not alter his life long love of flying.
After retirement from the Air Force he worked at the Eglin Aero Club teaching others to fly. When he could no longer fly he continued to go there everyday that he was able to drive, until his recent hospitalization. During his life he logged over 10,000 flying hours.
He is survived by his devoted wife of thirty-six years, Marlene Dickman.
Two daughters: Diane Warfield and Carol Spitznagel.
Two grandsons: Joel Baker and Robbie Warfield
His sister: Mary Lanzing.
Two Step-daughters: Francene Singleton and Maxine Gibbons.
The family wishes to thank the doctors and outstanding medical professionals at the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center for their loving care!!
