Kenneth Dickerson's Obituary
Kenneth M. Dickerson, an inspiration to so many and well-respected Belmont City Attorney for 31 years, has passed away at the age of 82. With his family by his side, Mr. Dickerson, Thursday afternoon, June 19th at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City after battling pneumonia. A born and raised local boy from the island of Hawaii, as a young boy, he and his mother made a living by selling flower leis in Honolulu. In 1944, he joined the Merchant Marines and took off to San Francisco. From there he joined the Navy and served on an auxiliary minesweeper in the Pacific during World War II. After the war he was drafted onto the University of Hawaii football team and joined ROTC. After obtaining his bachelor's degree from UH he served as an officer in the Korean War and trained troops in Hawaii. Mr. Dickerson was later accepted to Northwestern Law School where he attended for a short time before making the decision to attend Stanford Law School. He graduated from Stanford in 1956. He passed his bar exam shortly after. In September 1957, Mr. Dickerson joined a growing law practice with Mike Aaronson and Melvin Cohn in San Carlos. Today the firm is known as Aaronson, Dickerson, Cohn & Lanzone; the firm has been providing quality legal services for over 60 years. In addition to being a partner at his law firm, Mr. Dickerson also served as legal counsel for the San Mateo County Harbor District for nine years, a Councilman for the City of Belmont for three years and the Mayor of Belmont for two years. Mr. Dickerson was well known in his career as the City Attorney of Belmont for 31 years and Foster City for 22 years. He is known for his efforts in the 60's which encouraged and advocated the building industry and commercial enterprises in the city of Belmont. It is said that his knowledge of Municipal law is unsurpassed and his courage, wisdom and forthright advice to municipal entities are legend. Mr. Dickerson was a past president of the Lions Club of Belmont and of the Belmont-San Carlos Optimist Club. He was also a former member of the Belmont Rotary Club. Mr. Dickerson was a long-time member of the California Golf Club and enjoyed playing golf in his spare time. Dickerson is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Jan; beloved daughters Manuela Sugars, Cristy Middleton, and Lori Mayer; and his six grandchildren whom he cherished, Sarah and Emily Sugars, Jenny and Jacqueline Mayer and Eric and Kevin Middleton. Services will be held on Saturday, June 28th at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church in San Carlos (1106 Alameda de las Pulgas.) In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to The Salvation Army, Attn: Development Department, 832 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA 94107-1123.
What’s your fondest memory of Kenneth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kenneth?
Share a story where Kenneth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kenneth you’ll never forget.
How did Kenneth make you smile?