DICKINSON, Peter

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Friday, May 25, 2012 Peter Dickinson passed away on May 20, 2012, at age 85. He was born in Detroit, Mich., on Aug. 23, 1926. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and completed his degree in journalism at Wayne State University. After graduation, he headed west, and was editor of the Yavapai Messenger in Prescott in 1949 and 1950. Heading farther west, he eventually ended up in San Francisco, where he married Brigie Wallerstein in 1958. His son, Ralph, was born in 1965, when they were living in Berkeley. In 1967, job opportunities resulted in a move to the New York area, and the family lived in Larchmont for 21 years. Pete began the work he is best known for as editor of The Retirement Letter. He is the author of several books on retirement, including Sunbelt Retirement, which has a chapter on Prescott. Following his own advice, he and Brigie moved to Prescott in 1988, a fitting gift for their 30th anniversary. After several decades of writing about retirement, he finally took the step at the age of 75. Pete served on the board of Sharlot Hall Museum, the Prescott Outings Club and the Open Space Alliance. He was active with People Who Care, Prescott Litter Lifters and the Forest Service's trail maintenance program. He enjoyed hiking in Arizona and neighboring states, and on many hiking trips in Europe. Pete loved good wine and food, and was an excellent cook. Yavapai College offered Pete many pleasures, including college-level and OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) classes, and seeing presentations at the Performing Arts Center and walking through its lovely Sculpture Garden. Besides his wife and son, survivors include his sister Lois Hutchison and her husband Denis of Sedona; his sister Susan Ferguson of La Jolla and Tesuque, N.M.; two nieces, Gwen Beope and Catherine Ferguson; and the many dear friends who helped so much to ease his passage from this life. Special thanks go to the warm and helpful people at Hospice of the Pines, especially Rick Bennett, RN. Donations are suggested to Prescott Art Docents, P.O. Box 3002, Prescott, AZ 86302; Hospice of the Pines, 13175 E. Highway 169, Dewey, AZ 86327; or Yavapai College Foundation, 1100 E Sheldon St., Building 32, Room 214, Prescott, AZ 86301. Information provided by survivors.