Plans have been put in motion to institute a Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) memorial scholarship in the name of Dick Dixon, long time SEMA member and educator from La Verne, Calif. who lectured at Cal State University San Bernardino, and who championed higher education for young people who wanted a future in the automotive and related industries.
Dixon passed away on Nov. 15 after waging a tough battle with cancer. Even as the disease had him in great pain, he spent some of the last days of his life among colleagues, friends, and students at the annual SEMA Show meetings in Las Vegas.
"He was there to see his friends, and to pass the baton on in his way." Pat McInturff professor emeritus in the Department of Management at San Bernardino noted. "He was weak, but every student, every friend that he spoke to about his ideas for new projects buoyed him up. He never allowed the conversation to become about himself and his problems; it was all about the future, the students."
"Dick was more than a colleague," said McInturff, "He was an inspiration for all of us, he truly enjoyed teaching and he particularly loved helping students to understand the value that a solid business education would have in their future in the automotive industry."
Dixon came to formal teaching somewhat later in life, a lifelong motorsports junkie, an open-wheel racing driver in his youth, a magazine publisher, writer, and skillful organizer; he was involved in countless facets of the automotive business throughout his life. He touched hundreds of lives in hundreds of different ways, but it always his boundless enthusiasm that his friends will remember and miss most of all.
More details about this very special scholarship will be available soon.
At Dixon's request there was no funeral, and his wife Judi has asked that friends and associates remember Dick by contributing to this scholarship.
Contributions should be made directly to SEMA. Checks should be made out to:
SEMA Memorial Fund earmarked: "Dick Dixon" and sent to: 1575 S. Valley Vista Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91785-0910
