Byram E. Dickes "By" of the Village of Golf, Florida and formerly of Winnetka, IL passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on January 22, 2025. By is the son of Fred and Erma Dickes and was born in Huntertown, IN on March 23, 1934.  The first of four children, in a house built in 1860 with no electricity or plumbing, the family farmed 335 acres, bred cattle and hogs, and operated a dairy.  They showed livestock yearly at the Indiana State fair, winning the Grand Champion award on occasion.  By and his siblings accomplished more each morning before they went off to school than some people did all day!  After graduating from Huntertown High – where he served as class president – By was off to Purdue.  While he achieved much in his four years in West Lafayette, including president of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, president of the student union, Iron Key holder, and a Danforth Scholar; the highlight was meeting the love of his life, Sue Hadley.  On September 14, 1957, By and Sue were married and spent 65 years together before her passing in 2022.

By and Sue have three children: Marclyn Porter (Jeff Jones) of Chattanooga, TN, Cynthia Nicolaides (Richard) of Vero Beach, FL, and Scott Dickes (Erin) of Dallas, Texas.  In addition to their children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren survive him: Katie (Gordon Sonnenschein), Alexandra, Rich, Will, Keely, Lily, Fitz, Keenan, and Westley.

By served in the US Navy.  Initially By was deployed on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger CVA 61.  His service also included shore duty in the Admiral's office.  A recommendation from both the Admiral and Purdue President Hovde led the farm boy from the US Navy to Harvard Business School.

A successful business career followed HBS graduation.  While accomplishing much in the business world, By lived a generous life giving his time and energy to those around him.  He and Sue moved to the Village of Golf over 30 years ago and jumped in with both feet.  The friendships they enjoyed and the activities in which they participated were highlights of their life.

Over the years By served as a board member, and in many cases chaired, several organizations including the Kenilworth Union Church, Hadley Institute for the Blind, Presbyterian Home, Indian Hill, Country Club of Florida and many more.  But his wife, children, and grandchildren were the main recipients of his love.

By enjoyed summers at Clear Lake, IN, traveling with Sue, golfing with friends, and playing croquet with anybody willing to do so.  Just last week he said, "if you had told me when I was a boy on the farm that we'd be sitting here today, I wouldn't have believed any of it."  A very well lived life!  A memorial service will be held at Kenilworth Union Church in Kenilworth, Illinois in May 2025.

A memorial service will be held on May 22, 2025, 3:00 PM at Kenilworth Union Church, 211 Kenilworth Avenue, Kenilworth, IL  60043.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in By's honor to the Clear Lake Conservancy Click Here to Donate Online or the Country Club of Florida Scholarship Foundation.