OBITUARY

Robert Dixon

“He is such a kind man.” The times I have heard that said are innumerable. Robert was born April 11, 1939 at home in Pomeroy, Wash., to Clayton and Helena Dixon, joining his brother Eugene and his sister Sally. He was premature and his father created an incubator out of a shoe box in a dresser drawer. He grew to be a strapping 6 ft 190 lbs.

Due to his mother’s heart condition Robert spent most of his childhood being cared for in various households. His Mother passed away when he was 10 yrs. old.

A few years later good friends thought it would be a good idea if Clayton and Brenda, a widow and lifelong Pomeroy resident, got together which resulted in them eventually marrying. Clayton gave up his garage and moved to Brenda’s farm where Robert raised 4-H sheep and cattle and helped his dad farm. He began driving combines during wheat harvest and working for Green Giant during pea harvest. He saved his money and eventually moved to the Tri-Cities to attend CBC and worked at Tiny’s Utoco in Pasco and then sold cars at a dealership.

One day he went to the A&W Drive in in Richland for lunch, driving his turquoise and white “55 Mercury Monterey, and the little carhop took one look at the wavy red hair, sparkling blue eyes and “oh that smile” and he and Freda were together from then on. They celebrated their 61st anniversary earlier this spring.

Robert went to work for Green Giant year-round and was transferred to various plants in various cities as he moved up the ladder of success. Their son Greg was born in Grandview and their son Ivan in Olympia. He was eventually assigned to their mushroom plant in Niles, Mich.

Robert has always felt strongly about “giving back to the community” so while in Michigan he was president of Jr Achievement, served on the United Way Board and was a Cub Scout Leader. After five years of being away from his native state and families and friends, he went to work for Lamb Weston in Connell, Wash., as the Human Resource Manager he made many positive changes in the company.

When he arrived the turnover rate at the plant was in excess of 300%. Within three years that was reduced to .003% with an eye to fairness, honesty and a win/win resolution. Robert always sought resolutions that met the needs of the employer while creating a sound working relationship with employees and true consideration for their needs as well.

He also quickly became involved in the Connell community becoming a volunteer firefighter (for 31 years) eventually becoming president of Lions, President of Chamber of Commerce and eventually Man of the Year.

Robert also rescued many dogs he found along the road, tracking down owners and returning them. Together he and Freda rescued six chihuahuas from shelters, taking the older ones with health issues no one else wanted and giving them a good and loving home and receiving much love in return. He was the kind of man upon which all other men depend on and the foundation supporting all we have, quietly doing the right needful thing.

For relaxation he liked to salmon fish at Ilwaco with friends and deer hunt every fall at Grand Coulee and almost always brought home our winter meat.

After retirement he was Kadlec Cancer Resource Center Supervisor helping to create, organize, recruit and train volunteers to assist newly diagnosed cancer patients. As a cancer survivor himself this was something he related to closely.

One of his many health challenges was Parkinson’s, which was diagnosed 15 yrs. ago. He let nothing slow him down. My brothers called him “the Energizer Bunny”.

Robert is survived by his wife Freda and sons Greg and Ivan. He is also survived by Freda’s sister Linda who, as a six-year-old, was the flower girl at their wedding and forever after Robert’s little sister also. He is survived by brothers-in-law Joe (Judi), Paul (Doc) and his brother Eugene’s widow, Sharon, stepsister Meribeth, cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a local animal shelter.

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