George Dickey

In memory

George Vernon Dickey was born January 10, 1946 in Los Angeles, California. He passed away after an illness at the University of Texas Hospital in Austin on March 3, 2019. George’s parents were Wanda (Legg) and Elmo Dickey. His father was an aerospace mechanic and his mother a homemaker. Except for a 3-year period in early childhood, during which he lived with his parents on his grandfather’s farm in Illinois, George grew up in Hawthorne, California with his 2-years younger brother, Larry. He attended Hawthorne High School with the Beach Boys in the early 60’s, leading to his enduring love of music and guitar playing. After two years of college at the University of Southern California, George transferred to the University of California, Berkeley where he graduated with a BA in psychology in 1970 and was nominated for a Rhode Scholarship. He subsequently undertook a graduate program in Clinical Psychology at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma from which he received a PhD in 1981. For more than 30 years George worked as a clinical psychologist in private practice, first in Conroe, Texas and later in Austin, Texas. During these years George became an avid private pilot, often flying on the weekends.

George cared passionately about his patients, friends and family, particularly his daughter Isabelle Eleni Dickey. He savored learning, teaching and sharing his infectious enthusiasm for music, movies, theater, flying, poetry and many other things. George is lovingly remembered and survived by his daughter Isabelle, an actress in London, England; his brother, Larry, a physician in San Francisco; his ex-wife, Susan Harnden, a social worker in Austin; and her parents, Don and Linda Harnden, who are retired in Austin, Texas. These family members were all present at his bedside when he passed.

A celebration of his life was held at Don and Linda Harnden’s house the week after his death. Many old friends and loved ones attended. His brother, Larry, sang one of his favorite songs, For a Dancer, which contains several lines that were particularly meaningful to George.

“Keep a fire burning in your eyes
Pay attention to the open skies
You never know what may be coming down”
“Don’t let the uncertainty turn you around
Go on and make a joyful sound”

During the ceremony a private airplane was heard briefly overhead and some of those present remarked that it must have been George. Whether flying or engaging in some other deeply held passion, George is lovingly remembered by his family and friends.

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