Chester T. Dickerson, Jr. passed away in Dover, DE on October 20, 2018. Chet was born in Lewes, DE to the late Chester T. Dickerson Sr. and Virginia Graves Dickerson. He was married to Sally D. Dickerson in 1960.
Together they raised two sons Chester T. (Bert) Dickerson III and James Dickerson. Chet graduated from Milford High School in 1957 where he was President of his graduating class. He was Captain of his High School Football Team and played in the Delaware Blue and Gold all-star football game.
He was a member of the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Chet received his Bachelor of Science degree in Weed Science in 1962 and his Master of Science in Weed Control and Weed Ecology in 1964 from the University of Delaware. He was also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
Chet received his Ph.D. in Weed Science from Cornell University in 1968. He was awarded the George M. Worrilow Service to Agriculture Award by the University of Delaware in 1994. In 2004 Chet was inducted into the UD Alumni Wall of Fame.
The wall recognizes outstanding professional and public service achievements. Chet was also the author of numerous publications in the field of agriculture. Chet worked for Monsanto from 1968 until his retirement in 1997.
He worked in St. Louis Missouri with a team of scientists that developed RoundUp. His career with Monsanto allowed he and his family to live in Tokyo, Japan for five years. Chet retired as Director of Agricultural affairs for Monsanto in Washington, DC.
Following his retirement from Monsanto he and Sally relocated to their farm in Dover, Delaware. His interests included farming, hunting, international travel with his wife, fine dining, his dogs, news, politics and autobiographies. Chet and Sally also own a Caribbean-based marine retail business.
After moving to Dover, Delaware Chet served on numerous boards including the Delaware Agriculture Museum, and the Biggs Museum both in Dover. Chet is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sally Dickerson. Also surviving are his sons Chester T. (Bert) Dickerson III & spouse Jamie Tyree of Washington, DC and James Dickerson and spouse Annemarie of Ocean City, MD.
Chester’s grandchildren Peyton, Ross and Riley Dickerson of Ocean City, MD and his sister Frances E. Dickerson of Wilmington, DE also survives. He will be missed by his family and friends including his dog Freddie. Relatives and friends are invited to attend services at Avenue United Methodist Church, 20 N. Church St., Milford, DE on Friday 10/26 at 11AM, with visitation 10 – 11A Burial will follow at Slaughter Neck Cemetery, Milford, DE.
In lieu of flowers donations would be appreciated being sent to: American Heart Association, 5455 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43214, or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th floor, New York, NY 10001, or to a charity of your choosing.
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