Richard A. Dodson

Richard A. Dodson, 71, died May 19, 2022 ending his ongoing challenges with pulmonary fibrosis. He was born June 14, 1950, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the youngest son of Martha E. (Delgado) Nielson and Conrad C. Dodson.

Rick, after leaving home at age 14, was semi-adopted by his new chosen family, the Schmidts of Hays, Kansas. He later became a graduate of St. Joseph’s Military Academy. Rick earned degrees in both Business Management and Psychology from the University of New Mexico and joined corporate America working for Litton Industries as a regional sales manager. He started his own marketing and management consulting company (Drake Systems, Inc.), in 1986, in Tulsa. Retiring in 2007, Rick with his wife, Robin, spent most of their time being grandparents to five grandchildren from their five children. Aside from various philanthropic endeavors, Rick stayed active in golf and tennis with a special group of fraternal friends known as the “Rafters”. In 2017, upon receiving his terminal illness prognosis, Rick bought a small farm just a mile away from his and Robin’s home. There, he spent many days clearing the land, tending to the chickens, ducks, and gardens. Allowing him to once again relive the “good life” he fondly remembered from Kansas that brought him the appreciation of humility and the inner peace of simplicity.

In addition to his parents, Rick was preceded in death by his older brother, Bob Dodson. Surviving, in addition to his beloved wife and best friend, Robin, are his sister, Carol Stringfield and her husband, Foster; Rick’s five children: Adam, Kristy, Clay, Stephanie, and Jordan and their respective partners and by his “Little Monkeys” and magical grandchildren: Jaxsen, Alexis, Addison, Connor, and Norah.

Rick chose to be cremated in lieu of a funeral. He asked that a donation be made to the Rafter Living Tree Memorial c/o Indian Springs Rafter Fund.

Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Bixby-South Tulsa Funeral Service & Crematory.