Samuel "Sam" Kent Dickinson, Jr.

Jody Hane2021-01-24T11:55:05-06:00

Name: Samuel "Sam" Kent Dickinson Jr.
Location of Birth: Sparta, Wisconsin
Date of Birth: August 21, 1924
Date of Death: March 26, 2014 (89 years old)
Parents: Samuel K. Dickinson, Sr. and Helen (Lenhart) Dickinson
High School and Class: attended Sparta public schools in Sparta, Wisconsin and Lutsen, Minnesota
College: University of Minnesota Forestry School
Syracuse University - awarded a Masters Degree in Forestry
Highest Rank:
Branch: Navy
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Military Highlights:
The United States Navy commissioned Sam as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. He was stationed in the South Pacific arena on the LSM 464 and several tours in Japan.

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Civilian Life:
Sam's family lived in Sparta, Wisconsin and also at their family cabin on Caribou Lake.

Sam married Mavone Nelson on August 26, 1949 and raised three children in Aurora, Minnesota.

Sam was a pioneer in Mine Land Reclamation since 1954, when Pickands Mather hired him as a Forester for Erie Mining Company in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. Immediately, he suggested to Clyde Keith that they experiment with stabilizing the tailings pond. Until his death, he was still consulting for various companies that need reclamation. The IRRRB, Barr Engineering and United States Steel and many other companies utilized his vast knowledge of forestry and land and remedial work on overburden and tailings.

With Don Lealos and other community leaders; Sam helped organized Aurora Youth Hockey and coached the Ice Mice teams for many years.

His community involvement was extensive. His involvement in Blue Lodge Masonry extended many years and in 1980, he was installed as Grand Master for the State of Minnesota. He was active in Habitat for Humanity, Grand Rapids Hospice, and Christ Church Episcopal in the Pastoral Care Ministry.

His children Cynthia, Laura (Jerry Kennely) and Kent/Huffer (Jill Kulaszewicz) Dickinson; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Information posted by Glenn Kiecker, Masonic Historian: Samuel K. Dickinson, Jr. was installed as The Grand Master of Masons in Minnesota at the 127th annual communication in Se. Paul, Minnesota on Friday, March 28, 1980. Most Worshipful Brother Dickinson, 56, a long-time resident of Aurora, Minnesota and Past Master of Biwabik Lodge No. 293 of Biwabik, Minnesota, was installed by M. W. Brother William Widstrand, who appointed him to the Minnesota Grand Lodge line.

Born August 24, 1924, "Dick", as he was known to many of his friends, was active in state environmental work since his first job with the State of Minnesota in 1950. Currently he was employed with Barr Engineering Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota, as director of mine land reclamation and land management. Formerly, while employed by Erie Mining Company of Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, he directed a land reclamation program that received the 1977 national environmental industry award for excellence in land reclamation. The award was sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, the President's council on Environmental Quality and the Environmental Industry council. Brother Dick was appointed to the Minnesota Environmental Education Board by Governor Anderson in 1972 and served on the board until 1978. He is also past chairman of the surface land reclamation committee of the Minnesota Chapter of the Soil Conservation Society of America and recipient of the Society's distinguished service award in 1969. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, he received his master's degree in forestry from the New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, prior to which he attended the University of Wisconsin and Sparta, Wisconsin public schools. His interest in forestry led him to 26 years of employment with Erie Mining Company of Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, where he became supervisor of lands and forestry and developed a multi-resource management program for many acres of mining property in Minnesota.

As head of Masons in Minnesota, Grand Master Dickinson's primary objective was to strengthen "grass roots" Masonry in the state through close contact and visitation with all Craft lodges throughout the state and to work with established programs that will stimulate interest and growth in Masonry through coming years. Raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason at Biwabik Lodge No. 293 in 1954 he became Master in 1960. In 1966 he was appointed to District Representative for District Four. In 1971 he was appointed to the Grand Lodge as Grand Pursuivant. M. W. Brother Dickinson was a member of Eastern Star, Biwabik Chapter, Past Associate Guardian of Job's Daughters and a member of Educational Lodge 1002. As a recipient of the Eagle Scout Award in his native Sparta, Wisconsin, our Grand Master continues his interest in youth activities and was awarded the honorary Legion of Honor by the International Supreme Council of DeMolay.

In 1949, Brother Dick met and married Mavone Nelson in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They had two daughters, Cynthia, who attended the University of Minnesota and Laura, who was employed and living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A son Kent David was married and living for some time in Aurora, Minnesota. Brother Dickinson was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, and a past school board director for Aurora-Hoyt Lakes Schools. He was also a member of XI Sigma Pi, Soil Conservation Society of America, Canadian Reclamation Association, Mineral Stabilization Committee, National Eagle Scout Association and Square Post American Legion.

Sam died in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery at Sparta, Wisconsin.

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