Robert Jackson Dickey

BEAUFORT - Robert Jackson Dickey departed this life on September 15, 2014 at home with loved ones. Robert was born in Gaffney, South Carolina, on August 17, 1938, and lived his young life in Blacksburg, South Carolina.  He lived in many different places while growing up, graduating from George Rogers Clark High School in Whiting, Indiana, attended The University of Chicago and Gardner Webb College in North Carolina.  Following college he went to work for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.  In 1974  he formed Benefit Planning Services, Inc., dedicated to designing and purchasing health insurance plans for corporations. In 1986  he formed BPS, Inc., a Third Party Claims Administrator for larger corporations with self-funded insurance programs which BPS designed.    His many employees, mostly female, all looked to him as a Father figure to whom they confided, sought advice and loved dearly.  In 2003 the company was sold to Marsh, Inc. Retirement brought about a move to Beaufort, South Carolina and he and Susan travelled to most US states, Canada, Central America, South America, Scandinavia, Croatia, all of western Europe, some of eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Morocco and many Caribbean islands.  He was always up for planning a new trip. In his beloved neighborhood of Islands of Beaufort he served as Chairman of the Landscape Committee and served on the Architectural Review Board. Robert loved the Baptist Church of Beaufort and his Sunday School Class, The Agape Class.  He enjoyed acting as a docent there describing the churches' historical significance and meeting and talking to out of town guests.  He had a great love of helping those less fortunate and with Susan worked in the Friday night soup kitchen at Washington Street Park, Family Promise and helping with activities with the children at the Parkview Apartments.  His great joy was to set out with Steve Brown in the morning to find someone who needed help.  He also took great pride in working with Dr. Tony Bush to facilitate a land swap deal with the City to benefit the church, when many said it couldn't be done. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his sister, Sandra Graham of Atlanta, Georiga; his son, Jason Dickey of Matthews, North Carolina; his daughter, Lynn Kilpatrick of Inman, South Carolina; his stepdaughter, April Seward of Las Vegas, Nevada, his stepson, Richard Seward of Richmond, Virginia and eight grandchildren. Throughout his life his love of the Lord was always evident in all he did.  He never met a stranger and generally loved and enjoyed talking to people regardless of their background.  His presence will be missed by all who came in contact with him. A memorial service will be held on Saturday morning, September 27, 2014 at 11 o'clock at the Baptist Church of Beaufort - 600 Charles Street. Remembrances in lieu of flowers can be made to the Baptist Church of Beaufort,  -  600 Charles Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902.