Melvin R. Dickerson

Melvin R. Dickerson, PhD died early Sunday morning, 15 December 2024 at Hampton Manor of Dundee, where he had been a resident. Born in Detroit, Mich. on 2 November 1942, Dr. Dickerson was a long-time resident of Tecumseh, Mich., where he was active in the Southern Michigan Railroad Society. He served as society treasurer and on the executive committee for a number of years.
Dr. Dickerson was Mr. Dickerson to a number of high schoolers in Pinckney and Dexter, Mich. He was employed at Michigan State University where he worked in a plant biology lab and the University of Michigan where he worked in a drug development lab. Dr. Dickerson earned his BS from Carson-Newman University and his PhD from the University of Michigan. He worked as a research scientist at Pfizer in Ann Arbor, and prior to that Warner-Lambert Parke-Davis. He retired in 2005.
Dr. Dickerson supported a number of organizations including Planned Parenthood, the Michigan Democratic Party, the ACLU, and several environmental groups. He was not only generous and supportive of non-profits whose missions aligned with his values, but he was also generous with, kind to, and supportive of his friends.
Dr. Dickerson was preceded in death by his parents, William Dickerson and Agnes Ballenger Dickerson; brother, William Dickerson; and sister-in-law, Florence Hisey Dickerson. He is survived by his nephews, Kirk Dickerson and Andre Dickerson; niece, Christa Dickerson Williams; and good friends Sherry Dickerson, Jennifer McCormick, and Ned McCormick.
Dr. Dickerson had a curious mind and loved to read. He had a number of hobbies including gardening, singing, acting, collecting wine, and learning French.
There will be no service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the University of Michigan (umich.edu/giving/); the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS, aaas.org/ways-to-give); the Dementia Society of America (dementiasociety.org/donate); or the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU, aclu.org/).
His care was entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, MI 48131, 734.529.3156. Cremation has taken place through Covenant Cremation of Erie, Mich., a division of Merkle Enterprises, Inc. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting merklefs.com.
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Tecumseh Herald
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