Bobby Lee Dickenson went to be with the Lord November 28, 2023, with a shout! He was born in Pendleton, OR in 1955 to parents Bob and Wanda Dickenson. He spent his childhood years traveling around the United States with the growing family while his father and uncles built motels and Golden Corrals. After the family settled in Kennewick, then Finley, Bobby and his siblings spent their time roaming the countryside, mostly staying out of trouble.

Instead of graduating high school, Bobby went to work for his father building houses. One of the better decisions of his life was to join the United States Navy as soon as he was old enough. He wanted to see the world, but saw four years of San Diego on a test ship. He learned some crucial life skills that have served him well.

In 1978, Bobby met Marilyn, who soon became his wife. They began their 44-year journey in June, 1979. Bobby had been working as an X-ray tech, but went back to his carpentry roots working out of the union hall. When he saw the future was dimming in carpentry, he worked as a transit bus driver. Then he set his sights on a bus driving job at Hanford, which started a career of over 25 years in different driving positions. Each time he went for a new position, it was a better job; he did well at providing for his family.

There was never a dull moment at the Bobby Dickenson household! Keeping pets, from dogs to snakes to goats (in town); remodeling the house; riding a motorcycle; raising a garden and changing its configuration every year; becoming a beekeeper; taking hives out of houses; and generally chasing from here to there, Bobby loved to be in motion and see what was going on.

When Bob Dickenson started Dayspring Ministries, Bobby naturally got involved. He went faithfully on Wednesday nights for several years to the prison services. He even served as a Chaplain and “walked the tiers” talking to prison inmates. During one near riot, a guard made Bobby stand against a wall and not move. That was quite a moment in the prison ministry for Bobby! When Dayspring started holding street services outside their office in Pasco, Bobby faithfully attended and presented ideas for improvement. As usual, he was never short of ideas.

Bobby usually rode some kind of motorcycle, but he rode his Harley the longest. He was proud to be a founding member of Desert Thunder. He spent many good years riding with and providing entertainment here and there for the group. During his ABATE years, Bobby was honored as “the Idea Man”.

Bobby tried not to serve the Lord for the first three years of his Navy stint. The last year he decided that wasn’t the way to live so he joined a local church and took his Navy buddies along. Bobby always tried to live for Jesus, but it wasn’t until the later part of his life that he became comfortable in loving his Savior. He looked forward to Heaven and all its goodness.

Bobby was preceded in death by his father, Bob Dickenson and daughter Jennifer Dickenson. He is survived by his mother, Wanda Dickenson; his siblings; his spouse Marilyn Dickenson; his son Bobby Dickenson and daughter-in-law Alisha, and their children Bobby and Madison; and his daughter Katie Henderson and son-in-law Joseph, and their children Deborah and Maeve.

A service will be held to mark Bobby’s life on Monday, December 11, 2023 at 2:00 pm at South Hills Church, 3700 West 27th Ave., Kennewick, WA 99337. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to You Medical in Tri-Cities would continue Bobby’s legacy.