Robert Leonard Dikovics ’28

Robert died June 8, 1999, in Williamsburg, Va.

At Princeton Robert majored in history. He earned his freshman numerals on the freshman football squad and joined the first University lacrosse team. Senior year he roomed in a West College suite with his brothers, Ernest '30 and Leslie '31.

He received a master's in education at Columbia, and then taught French, Latin, social studies, and American history over three decades at Irvington HS in Irvington-on-Hudson, N.Y.

The life of "Mr. D," as his pupils affectionately named him, is a tribute to Princeton-ians who have dedicated themselves to teaching in the nation's public high schools. Robert was unassuming, demonstrating personal concern for each pupil and stimulating incentive through "bonus" assignments. During the 1950s he helped integrate students who had moved from NYC to Irvington into the community. Two of his students graduated in the Class of '63: Ronald Furst and John Francis Smith III.

Robert retired to Lake Champlain in the Adirondacks, where he pursued his lifelong passion for fishing. His grandson, Matt Pickelle, crafted the following stanza: "The contest between grandpa and fish wasn't much of a bout: It'd be better characterized as a continual rout. Grandpa of course was the winner. The trout??? He'd be grandpa's dinner!"

Mary, Robert's wife of 62 years, died in 1998. He is survived by his daughters, Karen Pickelle and Stephanie Honeycutt, their husbands, and five grandchildren. The class extends sincere sympathy to the family.

The Class of 1928