Former ISBA Executive Director John H. Dickason, 84, of Coral Gables, FL passed away February 2, 2016. He was born June 3, 1931 in Wooster, OH, a twin son of the late Donald E. and Martha (Hamilton) Dickason. He graduated from Champaign, IL High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from Dartmouth College. John and his wife Barbara (Bobbie) were married June 20, 1953 in Christ Episcopal Church, Bronxville, NY. He served in the U.S. Army (1954-1956).

He was Director of Administrative Services for the Illinois State Bar Association from 1960-1970 and then served as Executive Director until 1985. In 1985 he became the Vice President for Finance and Administration of the Lucille P. Markey Charitable Trust which assisted basic medical researchers.  

He was very active in charitable organizations throughout his life, especially in the Episcopal Church. He served as Senior Warden, Treasurer and Boy Scout Leader at Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield, IL. He served as Senior Warden, Treasurer, Eucharistic Visitor and, for 19 years, founder and Chair of the Outreach Committee at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Coral Gables, FL. He received the Bishop’s Award for Lay Ministry in December 2010, and served as a founding Trustee, Chair and Treasurer of St. Philip’s Episcopal Foundation. He also served as a Trustee of Palmer Trinity School, chairing its Strategic Planning Committee and was honored by the receipt of the Head’s Award in 2005.

He was active in the National Association of Bar Executives where he served as a member of the Steering Committee, President and received the Member of the Year Award in 1983. During his bar association years, he became recognized as an expert in long range planning activities for many legal organizations. Later, he became very active in the Foundation Financial Officers Group where he served as a member of the Steering Committee, served as the founding editor of the organization’s newsletter and Historian as well. He was also active in the Council on Foundations, the national organization representing private foundations in the United States. He was elected as an Honorary Member of the Illinois State Bar Association and a life member of the Foundation Financial Officers Group.

Hobbies included golf, tennis and travel to more than 50 different countries.  He is survived by his beloved wife Barbara (Bobbie) Dickason, his sister Patricia Dickason Rasmussen of Kingston, NY, his son John Harold Dickason (Cherrie) of Bristol, VT and his daughter Kathryn Dickason Sweeney (Kevin) of Sierra Madre, CA, six grandchildren Alaina Dickason Roberts (Jon), Kate Broadbelt, Leyla Dickason, Jennifer Sweeney Pryor (Josh), Brian Sweeney, Michael John Sweeney; and three great grandsons Steven Rorick, Finnian Pryor and Jonas John Roberts. His twin brother Don and sister Rachel predeceased him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Philip's Foundation for Outreach Endowment. Services will be held on Friday, February 12, 2016 at 11:00am at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 1121 Andalusia Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33134.