MADISON , WIS. – Former Wisconsin 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 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 squadrons of attorneys representing 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 Dikkers is survived by his wife, Marlene; daughter, Katrina; and his faithful dog, “Hermie;” his mother, Wanda; and brothers Steve (Michele), Gene (Kim) and Kurt (Sue).
A memorial service will be held at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, Verona Chapel in Verona, Wis., on Friday, June 7, 2013, at 1 p.m. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of service. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: http://www.ryanfuneralservice.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2110212&fh_id=10436