Russell Dickenson, National Park Service director from 1980 to 1985, died at his home in Bellevue, Wash., on Feb. 19, 2008. He was 84. Dickenson began his National Park Service career as a ranger at Grand Canyon National Park in 1946. After serving in a wide range of assignments — most prominently as head of National Capital Parks, deputy director, and Pacific Northwest regional director — he attained the directorship in May 1980. He was the first National Park Service director to have started a career with the Service as a park ranger.

Dickenson was born in Melissa, Texas, on April 12, 1923, and graduated from high school in McKinney, Texas, in 1940. He graduated from Northern Arizona State University in 1947, and served four years in the Marine Corps, attaining the rank of captain.

During his distinguished career, Dickenson received the U.S. Department of the Interior's Meritorious Service Award, The Cornelius Amory Pugsley Gold Medal Award, The George Washington Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the National Society for Park Resources Award for Excellence. Northern Arizona University awarded Dickenson its honorary Doctor of Science degree in 1982 and its Distinguished Alumni Award. In 1983, he became the first American to receive the Golden Flower of Rheydt Award from Germany for contributions made in preserving the environment on a national and international level.

After his retirement, Dickenson co-authored a book titled, “National Park Service: The Story Behind the Scenery.” He remained active as an affiliated professor in the College of Forest Resources at the University of Washington. Dickenson served on the National Park Advisory Board and was president of the Washington National Parks Fund from 1985 to 1998. He also served on numerous boards of directors, including the North Cascade Institute and the Eastern National Parks and Monument Association.

Dickenson is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ollie Maxine Dickenson; two siblings, James and Edwin Dickenson; his children, Vivian Lee, her husband, Bart Barber, and son Russell Steven. He had four grandchildren, Tawnya, Sean, Tiffany, and Lyndsey; and one great grandson, Chandler Keaton Dickenson.