Lewis E. Dickinson
Nov 29, 1931 -
Apr 30, 2026
Lewis Edward Dickinson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, engineer, pilot, adventurer, philanthropist and longtime Alaskan, passed away peacefully, at the age of 94. He was born on Nov. 29, 1931, in Bismarck, N.D., to Reverend Lewis and Blanche Dickinson.
Lew attended Greenville College in Illinois before earning his civil engineering degree from the University of Washington in 1954. While putting himself through school, he worked a variety of jobs, including loading railcars and assisting with Boeing B-52 wind tunnel testing. His dream of living in Alaska became reality when he traveled to Fairbanks for engineering work with R.W. Beck and Associates.
In 1955, Lew met Jacqueline Flachbarth at a picnic in Anchorage, Alaska. They married on Feb. 24, 1956, beginning a loving partnership that spanned 63 years and was filled with adventure, family and shared accomplishments. In 1969, Lew fulfilled his childhood dream by building their family home on Campbell Lake, where they raised their children, Luke and Jenny. Later in life, they split their time between their cabin in Seldovia and Kona, Hawaii, forming many treasured friendships.
Lew built an extraordinary professional career in Alaska. He worked at the City of Anchorage as a civil engineer. In 1962, he co-founded Dickinson and Oswald Consulting Engineers, later known as DOWL Engineers, a company that helped shape modern Anchorage, particularly during reconstruction following the 1964 earthquake. Lew retired from DOWL in 1987, but remained active in development and business ventures with Anchorage Sand & Gravel and Rock Partners.
Lew was known for his kindness, wisdom, generosity, humility and adventurous spirit.
Lew was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jackie; brother, Paul Dickinson; and sister, Mary Nordmark. He is survived by his son, Luke Dickinson; daughter, Jenny Hand; son-in-law, Keith Hand; and grandchildren, Hailey and Carson Hand.
A memorial service will be held at St. John United Methodist Church on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 5 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at Fox Hollow Lodge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Anchorage Gospel Mission or Covenant House Alaska.
For a full obituary, please visit the Janssen Funeral Homes website.
