Leon A. Dickson, Jr. ’67 died on March 6, 2026, in Silver Spring, Maryland.

(The following was provided by the Washington Post on March 23, 2026:)

Leon Ashby Dickson, Jr., PhD, age 80, of Silver Spring, Maryland, passed away on March 6, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. A distinguished biochemist, devoted educator, respected colleague, and cherished father, he leaves behind a legacy of intellectual rigor, quiet strength, and deep commitment to those he loved.

Born to Dr. Leon A. Dickson, Sr. and Dr. Carolyn Lucas Dickson, he was an Eagle Scout who earned an A.B. in Chemistry from Bowdoin College in 1967 and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1974.

Dr. Dickson held faculty positions at Rutgers Medical School and the Howard University Cancer Center before joining the Department of Biology at Howard University in 1990. He served as an Associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences until his retirement in 2017.

He was a man of wide‑ranging interests and quiet passions, especially his love for being a father and grandfather, photography, and practicing his faith with sincerity and humility.

He is survived by his daughter and son‑in‑law, Dr. Ilana F. Dickson and Dr. Mark Taylor; his grandchildren; his sisters; and his treasured friend, Dr. Marilyn Irving.

Those who knew him remember him as a kind soul whose gentle presence enriched every space he entered.