Glenn Was Everyone’s Best Friend!
On Glenn Dickman’s birthday – October 23 – many friends and family members attended his “Celebration of Life” in Ruskin, Florida where the Dickman family was the first to have a vision of making it not only a thriving community but also the “Nations Salad Bowl.” In 1941 Glenn’s grandfather Paul Dickman organized the Ruskin Vegetable Cooperative, helping to make Ruskin one of the most famous tomato growing places in the world. Artesian Farms made possible the first pre-packaged vegetables with bagged salad, coleslaw, and various leafy greens.
His Grandparents started Ruskin College and Glenn continued this Dickman legacy by donating 60 acres to the Hillsborough Community College (HCC) South Shore Campus.; HCC even gave a proclamation celebrating October the 23rd as “Glenn K. Dickman Day.”
Glenn, a 48yr cancer survivor, with several others also started medical cannabis business to help with those suffering from radiation and in need of special care.
I could continue to tell the Dickman history – the wonderful things they have contributed and all of their many history making ventures – but the speakers at Glenn’s Celebration Of Life better tells his story.
The Church was busting at the seams with people who just wanted to be there, people who he had touched in one way or another. The testimonies and tributes to him were so heartfelt and of course many were funny. My parents, along with most people back in the day in Ruskin, worked for the Dickman Family my entire life. Glenn and I used to laugh about how my Dad always made sure he had Chocolate milk and powdered doughnuts on hand in case Lyle, Glenn’s dad, brought him to the warehouse where Dad worked. So I had a front row seat of watching Glenn grow up and all that he was accomplishing.
I will miss my friend, I will miss him sending me a text complimenting me on something he would read about me in the produce world and tell me he was proud of me, a Ruskin girl. Of course we would also discuss our love for the UF Gators – I used to say if the coaches would only listen to Glenn’s thoughts they would win every game!
Glenn was bigger than life, his smile would light up a room. He married the love of his life, Danita, 48 years ago. He was so proud of his kids, Lyle and Glenna, and of course his two grandsons, Jeremiah Lilly and Salvatore Ray Dickman. He had an enormous bond with his brother Ned Dickman in which his legacy will continue.
He will be missed but never forgotton.
