Robert Dickey Obituary Robert "Bob" Bernard Dickey died peacefully May 13, 2024, with family by his side. He was born April 12, 1928, in Keokuk, Iowa to Raymond Bernard Dickey and Winifred Winnie Evelyn Fiedler Dickey. He is survived by four children, Lynne Elizabeth Dickey (Mike Polacek), Jill Ann Dickey (Michael Gollin), Robin Bernard Dickey (Susan) and Rachel Erin Besancon (J. Adrian Besancon); and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Bernice "Peggy" Dickey (nee Inman), his parents, and two siblings, Philip, and Nancy. Bob attended Keokuk High School. He was president of the Phi-Chem Club, sang in mixed chorus and joined Torch Club. He was also a member of the Hi-Y Club, which staged debates for local business and service organizations. He joined the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). He and his sweetheart, Peggy Inman, graduated with the class of 1946. Bob and Peggy attended the University of Iowa. Peggy became the top student in home economics, while Bob studied economics of the broader world. They graduated in May of 1950 and were married in a service at the First Baptist Church of Keokuk December 27, 1950. Bob attended the University of Iowa Law School and received his JD in 1952. He joined the US Air Force Judge Advocate Generals Corps as a lieutenant junior grade. He and Peggy moved to Salina, Kansas, where he alternately defended airmen and prosecuted courts-martial. The family soon returned to Keokuk and Bob joined the Smith law firm, which later became Smith, Dickey, and Smith. Bob designed and built mostly with his own handsa three-bedroom ranch house overlooking the Mississippi. In 1958 he ran for and was elected County Attorney of Lee County, a position he held through successive elections for 16 years. Amid campaigning and family camping trips, Bob also found time for raising English Setters, hunting, fishing, woodworking, bridge, chess, and painting. In the early 60s, Bob built a cabin cruiser, the "Peanut" with which to explore the Mississippi. He and Peggy made their first trip to Europe in 1962. An avid reader and consumer of world news, poetry, and folk music, Bob taught himself to play the guitar and sing folk songs. In the early 70s, he laid down his hunting rifle and took up tennis. It became Bobs next passion, a social game that fostered many lifelong friendships. Bob helped with the campaign to restore the Grand Theater, served on the board of The Keokuk Savings Bank and the Keokuk Country Club. He wrote a novel, My Ladders Gone, drawing from his experiences as a young prosecutor and his relationship with Lee Countys colorful sheriff, Harold "Toots" Delahoyde. A Renaissance man, Bob passed on tennis, art, writing and critical thinking skills to his children and grandchildren, along with a love of the great outdoors and travel. When Bob retired, he and Peggy were snowbirds, then moved permanently to Siesta Key, FL. They had many happy years there socializing at tennis and sunsets. Peggy passed away in 2015. She and Bob had been together for more than 70 years. Bob continued to play tennis into his 90s and frequently traveled with his children and grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 22 at 11:00 am at the Sandusky Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made through the Keokuk Area Community Foundation to one of their many funds. Bob supported these specifically: Dickey-Inman Fund: https://keokukfdn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1192&sorg_id=1066 Keokuk Community School Foundation Fund: https://keokukfdn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1162&sorg_id=1066 Peggy Dickey Memorial Scholarship: https://keokukfdn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1191&sorg_id=1066 Keokuk Public Library: https://keokukfdn.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1164&sorg_id=1066 Services Graveside Service Saturday June 22, 2024 11:00 AM Sandusky Cemetery