Susan "Sue" BASKIN

Susan Baskin Dickler

Sue's 2011 Autobiography

After moving from Westport the day after we graduated, I embarked on a rather checkered undergraduate career. Ultimately, I graduated in 1966 from Western Reserve University with a degree in political science. (It is now Case Western Reserve.) If I had not done the five year plan, I would not have met my husband of almost 44 years Bob Dickler. Lyndon Johnson's campaign in 1964 brought us together. I worked for the IRS, the state of Massachusetts and the Jewish Vocational Service before receiving an MA in counseling psychology in 1975. I worked outside our home until 1981 at which time I became a throw back to the '50s! By then our daughter, Miriam ( named for Mimi Tropp) was 6. I felt most fortunate that we could afford for me to stay home to be a full time mom and volunteer. I have been a museum and zoo docent, an Odyssey of the Mind Coach and state problem captain, involved in PTA and so forth. For the past 18 years, my focus has been as a third person interpreter for the National Park Service both in Washington DC on the National Mall and now that we live in Williamsburg VA at Yorktown Battlefield. The NPS provides many opportunities for grant writing, volunteer management training and presentations at national meetings all done on a volunteer basis. I also volunteer now at Colonial Williamsburg. I love what I do and have met some absolutely fantastic people.

Bob retired in 2008 after many years in health care administration. Following stints as the CEO of the University of Colorado Hospitals and then the University of Minnesota Hospitals, he ended his career at the Association of American Medical Colleges. While he found it extremely rewarding, he enjoys the less hectic pace of consulting part time. We moved several times and have lived in Boston, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Denver, back to the Twin Cities, Washington DC and now Williamsburg.

Miriam lives about 3 hours from us in Harrisonberg VA. She is the public information officer for the city. That's what one does with a major in philosophy and broadcasting credentials! She and her cat, Elliot, live in a 1926 Sears catalog house which she owns. I cannot imagine doing that as a young woman many years ago. But opportunities for women have exploded since we were kids.

Life has been good to us. Bob and I enjoy traveling, photography, antiquing and many other pursuits. Of course, as with everyone, there have been ups and downs. My parents died years ago. Bonnie, my younger sister, died in July of 2009 after a valiant fight with esophageal cancer.

We thoroughly enjoy living in Williamsburg and invite any of you to come to visit.

Sue’s Update (2021)

The last ten years have brought both joy and deep sorrow. Our daughter met and married a wonderful man. They live two hours away in Charlottesville. Miriam has her own consulting firm after working in public affairs. Her husband does chemical analysis for the government. They have no children

After 53 years of being together and 50 of them married, Bob died in March of 2018 of small cell carcinoma of the lung. He never stopped smoking. We had a fabulous run and I miss him desperately However, I’m doing well as I have an outstanding support system including some of my Staples classmates.

When it’s not pandemic time, I continue to volunteer at Colonial Williamsburg cooking in the Palace kitchen and at the visitor center . I’m involved in various left of center endeavors which are gratifying.

I’ve been in touch with several classmates over the last ten years. It’s been delightful. I look forward to at least ten more years of contact!

Stay safe and stay well