MADISON, WIS. – Former Wisconsin DOT Bureau of Aeronautics official and Air Force veteran, Gary L. Dikkers, 66, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away from an extended illness on June 5, 2013. Dikkers was born November 30, 1946, in Freeport, Illinois, and graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1968. He served as a forward air controller in Vietnam after completing flight training, as a flight instructor and fighter pilot, and as an air liaison officer with the 82nd Airborne Division. After retirement from the Air Force, Dikkers was the airspace manager with the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics, where he stood strong in defense of Wisconsin airspace and airports against cell phone and wind turbine companies.
Dikkers was a contributing writer and photographer for Midwest Flyer Magazine and involved with the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame.
“Gary was the strongest of advocates to protect Wisconsin airspace and airports from the encroachment of cell phone towers and wind turbines,” said Dave Weiman of Midwest Flyer Magazine. “His intelligence, tactfulness, and unwillingness to give up on airspace issues resulted in companies to rethink their plans that would violate airspace. Gary’s example and teachings will be with us as we continue his work in the future.”
Gary Dikkers is survived by his wife, Marlene; daughter, Katrina; his faithful dog, “Hermie;” his mother, Wanda; and brothers Steve (Michele), Gene (Kim) and Kurt (Sue).
