Walter "Dick" J. Dixon (pictured at right from the 1937 Spy) died on Oct. 17, 2005 at home in Napa at the age of 86.  Dick was born on Nov. 28, 1918 in Kenosha, WI.  Dick earned a B.A. degree in engineering economics from the University of Wisconsin.

Col. Dixon retired after serving 30 years in the U.S. Army Quartermaster and Inspector General Corps.  Dick was an expert marksman and was a member of the U.S. Army's pistol team.  Dick served in posts throughout the world, including postwar Germany and Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Virginia, Kansas, North Carolina and California.

Dick was a Shriner and 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and 50-year member of the Golden Gate Speranza Lodge of San Francisco.  Dick was the organist for several of the Masonic lodges in San Francisco for over 20 years.

Dick was a talented, life-long musician who played many instruments, including the guitar, organ and piano. Dick was an avid golfer and a life member of the San Francisco Presidio Golf Club.  He is the only person to have made a hole-in-one on every Par 3 hole of the Presidio course.

He is survived by Kay, his wife of 61 years; three children, Diana Dixon-Davis of Chatsworth, John Dixon of Kailua, HI and Bethesda, MD, and Scott Dixon of Ashland, OR; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service was held on October 23, 2005 in the Fellowship Hall of the Meadows at 1800 Atrium Parkway, Napa.