This distinguished son of Bermuda was called to higher service on Monday, Octobern 22, 2001, a few days before his 90th birthday. A service of thanksgiving for the life of Dr. Howard Dickinson, conducted, by the Rector, the Rev. Anthony Roberts, was held at St Paul's Church, Paget on December 9, 2001. It was well attended by a cross section of Bermudians and friends from the United States and the United Kingdom.

Dr. Dickinson was educated at Saltus Grammar School and received the Bermuda Scholarship in 1928. He attended Broomsgrove School in Winchester, England and was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship in 1931. At Oxford University, he entered St John's College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1934.

He continued his studies at London Hospital. In 1937, he became a medical doctor, gaining the qualifications of Member of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (MRCS), and Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians (LRCP). Later that year, he gained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree.

Following further surgical experience, he returned to Bermuda in 1938. His uncle, Dr. Ernest E. Brown, assisted him in several ways. One very useful way enabled him to put away his bicycle for a much needed buggy. Dr. Brown shared his groom and stable facilities for Howard's horse.

Early in 1939 his fiancee, Rene Berry, arrived from England. they were married at the Wesley Methodist Church in Hamilton.

With the outbreak of war, Howard felt the call to return to Britain. He joined the staff of Middlesex Hospital. Asked if he was willing to become a medical officer in the Royal Air force, he accepted at once, serving in England, North Africa, Italy and finally The Bahamas. Tributes covering Howard's Second World War service have appeared in The Mid-Ocean News.

After the war, Dr. Henry Wilkinson, then Medical Officer of Health for Bermuda, persuaded Howard to study the care of tuberculosis patients. He spent a period in Belleville Hospital in New York City before continuing at various sanatoria in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, and the Laurentian Mountains in Quebec, Canada.

Howard and his friend, J.H. Dallas, discussed the possibility of establishing a chest clinic to assist those suffering from tuberculosis. They approached the Bermuda Government for assistance, which led to establishing the first TB clinic at Abbotsford in 1946. It was the forerunner of the Bermuda Tuberculosis Association. E.M. Astwood, a prominent Hamilton businessman, was the first Chairman of the Association's Council, serving until 1948.

He entered general medical practice, eventually becoming a member of the Bermuda Medical Associates Group. This part of his medical career lasted for the next 20 years. During that time, he delivered some 2,000 babies.

Though he found general practice satisfying, Howard felt called to study psychiatry. A year at Dalhousie University in Halifax was followed by two more at Maudsley Hospital in London, England. He received his Diploma of Psychological Medicine of the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians (DPM) in 1967. Four years later he became a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRC Psych). He was Bermuda's first native-born psychiatrist, and practiced at St. Brendan's and from his home, "Clonmel", in Somerset.

Howard lost his beloved wife, Rene, in 1982. She had been a wonderful helpmate for all the 43 years of their marriage. His children, David and Sarah and their families shared with countless others his loss of a devoted wife, mother and friend.

He was made a member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) on 20th June, 1982 for community services to Bermuda, receiving the decoration the following year from the Queen at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

He married Beryl Pearce, a friend of both Howard and Rene for many years. After his retirement in 1989, they divided their time between Bermuda, usually at Willowbank, and their residence at Budleigh Salterton in Devon, England. It was there that Dr. Dickinson died peacefully after an illness of only 24 hours.

Howard Dickinson was a committed Christian. It was because of his faith that he was able to help so many people with alcoholic problems, perhaps his greatest single contribution to community service in Bermuda.

He always did so without any thought of remuneration. His close connection with early work on behalf of alcoholics led to his membership on the First council on Alcoholism, the predecessor to Alcoholics Anonymous in Bermuda, which he helped to found.

He was always firm but never "pushy". Many misjudged him because of his manner, but beneath that exterior was a man of steellike compassion. Nevertheless, he had a natural sense of humour and fun. He had a vast store of Bermudian anecdotes and always enjoyed sharing them with friends. He loved a sing-song around the piano, and had a marvellous memory for songs and their words.

He was basically interested in the "whole" person - body, mind and spirit. He had a weekly Bible study fellowship at his home. From this group, many went annually to the Poconos in Pennsylvania to attend seminars featuring outstanding speakers sponsored by Faith At Work. There were sufficient numbers to fill a bus. Afterwards, many came to Bermuda to visit new friends they had made, staying as guests at Willowbank.

Before embarking on his study of psychiatry, Howard was inspired to establish a place of rest and renewal for visitors to Bermuda. An interdenominational group purchased Willowbank in 1960. Howard was a founding trustee of the Willowbank Foundation. Of the original trustees, only Fernance Perry and F. John Barritt remain. Howard had hoped to see a residence at Southlands for the elderly, but this did not come to pass. Many showed interest "but not yet". Without firm commitments, the project could not be started.

Dr. Dickinson was an Anglican Lay Reader for many years, actively serving St. Paul's Church in Paget where he worked closely with the late Canon Peter Evans.

He was a member of the Hamilton Rotary Club. When he retired from the Club, he became a founder-member of Probus, an organisation of senior businessmen and professionals, many of whom formerly belonged to service clubs. They enjoy getting together each month for fellowship.

Howard was prominent in establishing Gideons International in Bermuda, which places Bibles in hotel rooms. Also, he assisted in the establishing of Young Life in Bermuda.

He was never actively involved in sports. It is easy to understand why. The extraordinary amount of community, medical and religious service he embraced left little time for sport. However, in his later years, he became an enthusiastic golfer, playing with friends whenever he could.

Alan Doughty, Howard's friend of many years, and fellow Trustee of the Willowbank Foundation, eloquently remembers Howard's life when he says. "to those who knew him best, there are acts of love and kindness. In a letter I wrote to him just before he died, I said Howard you will never know what you did for Christ in helping others until you stand before Him and hear 'Well done good and faithful servant'. Now Howard Knows".

Contributions by Tom Aitchison and F. John Barritt

ALLAN DOUGHTY