David Louis Dickey

West Point, 1976

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Steve Dietrich on March 7, 2023:

Dave Dickey bookended my time as a Cadet. Dave and I were Beast squadmates during our first summer, along with Mike Hamilton, Bruce Harding, and Sam Butler who all made the trek here today. The five of us have always seen eye-to-eye -- we were in the Munchkin squad in the Munchkin platoon of 6th New Cadet Company. Nearly four years later, when Dave and I found out we were both going to be on battalion staff during our last detail Firstie year, there is no way we were not going to room together. And what a great time we had - we had a phone and we both had our Barbs. More than once we answered the phone and wound up talking with Barb before we realized it was the other Barb. I have countless fond memories of our time together as Cadets -- boxing partners shadow boxing so we didn't land painful punches and get headaches before class, me from a high school wrestling program with the Nations' longest win streak going easy on Dave on the mats when he needed help with his grade and darn if he didn't pin me. And after we threw our hats into the air that last glorious day at the Academy, my 8 year old brother scored one of our hats. When I checked to see whose hat -- of course, it was Dave's. We went off to our first assignment on the same post in Germany, Dave as a Grunt and me as a Tanker. And over the years we spent whatever time together that we could, but it was never enough. Dave and I had a very special relationship and when his light went out, he took some of mine with him. I'm sure I've subconsciously let my hair grow longer in honor of Dave. Dave Dickey didn't just march to a different drummer, he had his own drum corps, and he reveled in it. He was full of life and lived it large. He balanced his amazing life accomplishments with humor, humility, and self-effacement. He matriculated to West Point at a time when the military was largely reviled by our own generation. And though he was not the most conformist of cadets, he persevered and prevailed, and served a full Army career. I think all of his classmates here today would have voted Dave least likely to return to West Point as a Tactical Officer, and Dave would surely have cast the same vote. He was as shocked as any of us when he received that assignment. He laughed anytime we discussed it. Yet, in retrospect, he brought valuable perspectives to the tactical department and be assured his Cadets' welfare and success was paramount. But what we may not all know about Dave is that even though he may have been eccentric as a Cadet, he was a true Gray Hog and held the Academy and the Army in the highest regard. And if you think about his life, his actions proved it. Were you shocked when you heard that Dave had volunteered to run our 35th Class Reunion? It was a World Class event. He, and the support team from the Association of Graduates, had it so well organized that Dave had ample time to enjoy hanging out with his classmates, and he wasted no minute of it. Dr. David Dickey. Even he couldn't believe he earned a PhD and became a college P. He also earned the prestigious Program Management Professional (PMP) certification and the even tougher PMP certified trainer. He founded his own consulting firm and trotted the globe delivering program management training. Dave had asked me to join him in his company and I was seriously contemplating it when I heard that on his way through NASA security, I suppose on his way to teach them how to plan the manned trip to Mars, he checked out of the net. He was surprised and amused at his own successes, though I know he worked hard for them. What is truly amazing about Dave's achievements is that he did it all both with, and in spite of, his complete candor and fearless drive to stand by his principles and speak truth to power. Dave refused to compromise his integrity. He epitomized the Cadet prayer's counsel always to "choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong." And he certainly always had a "cheerful countenance." I have few regrets in life, and so, I'm sure did Dave. But one of my greatest regrets is that I did not make more time to spend with Dave. One non-regret that Dave and I did share is that we married the Barb's we dated as Cadets and never looked back. Dave was not only a loyal soldier, he was a loyal husband. And, during a Beast Squad reunion a year ago in Alabama and Florida, it was clear that Dave was also a great, and very proud, father and grandfather. Barb, Andie, and David, I am so sorry for our mutual loss and for our Country's loss of this great National treasure. But Dave has left us with much about his time with us that is worth celebrating and he has been a positive influence for countless others. Dave's was a life well lived. Dave, my old friend, I salute you and I look forward to joining you in Valhalla. Grip hands.

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