Long time Clallam County lawyer Dennis Dickson passed away on May 21, 2021. Dennis was 75. He practiced most of his career as a city attorney for Port Angeles. He was known for his dedication to protecting the Port Angeles community, hard work, compassion, fair treatment of everyone in the legal system, and for being a lawyer others could look to for inspiration. He was never dogmatic and always looked for the facts and the unique aspect of what made each and every case unique.
In 2007, Dennis made a decision not to charge a 20 year-old woman who hit and killed another woman with her vehicle. He looked at the facts carefully and nonjudgmentally, and found there was no evidence of speeding, negligence or reckless driving. He found the incident was an accident, and the family of the deceased woman agreed. “When we get into situations like this, we certainly have to recognize there are things that are unfortunate accidents that don’t involve criminal behavior.” Peninsula Daily News, September 25, 2007.
Dennis was born in 1946. He graduated from law school in Ohio and practiced for several years in Toledo. He was admitted to practice law in Washington on May 31, 1988, and served the Port Angeles City Attorney’s office for 22 years, retiring in 2010.
Dennis contributed greatly to community causes. He served on the board or in an active position for Peninsula Behavioral Health, Dungeness River Audubon Center, North Olympic Land Trust, Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, Naval Elks #353, and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
Dennis Dickson Obituary (1946 – 2021) – Port Angeles, WA – Peninsula Daily News (legacy.com)