Robert Autry Dickinson died April 29, 2010, at San Juan Rehabilitation Center in Anacortes.

He was born in New London, Conn., on Aug. 18, 1927. He joined the Navy in 1944 as a seaman recruit, attended Hospital Corps School, and served as a pharmacist’s mate with the Marine Corps until the end of World War II. He then transferred to the Submarine Service in 1950 and served aboard the first nuclear sub on the West Coast, the USS Sargo, when she made her historic trip to the North Pole, where she surfaced through the ice. He was commissioned an ensign in the Supply Corps in 1960 and retired as a captain in 1988, after a 44-year career!

Robert is survived by his wife Kay of Oak Harbor; son Robert and his wife Elaine; three daughters, Sharon Barrington, Marie Dimmick and Kathy Leffel; and his grandchildren, Greg Gardner, Scott Dimmick, Zack Leffel, Tyler Leffel and Maddison Leffel.

He was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Blair Dimmick and Michael Gardner.

Robert will be buried at sea with full honors.

Please omit flowers. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life service Thursday, May 20 at 2 p.m. at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church.

Family and friends are also invited to an informal gathering to celebrate Robert’s life on May 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. at his home in Oak Harbor.