MIDN 4/C Kristen M. Dickmann (USNA '11)
MIDN 4/C Kristen M. Dickmann (USNA '11)
"In Kristen’s eyes, life was a series of adventures to be experienced with her family and her friends, alongside her teammates and her classmates, and even among strangers. She touched everyone with whom she crossed paths, because she took no one and nothing for granted. Kristen didn’t just love life, she loved living, and she lived with a perpetual smile radiating across her face.
Kristen parlayed her elven wit and unbridled confidence, mathematical smarts, and her passion for playing volleyball into an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, where she provided a ray of sunshine to her fellow plebes, became her upperclassmen’s favorite little sister, and earned her coaches' and her teammates' respect with her tenacity on the court, her drive still honored each season at the Kristen Dickmann Invitational Volleyball Tournament.
During a year meant to break her down and to mold her into a Naval officer, her spirits soared, and her only fracture was to her leg following a collision with a newly waxed floor that left her hobbled for a short while, nicknamed “Grandpa” by her teammates, and quacked at by her company.
Upon commissioning, Kristen had hoped to pilot a C-2 Greyhound, so she could bring smiles to the fleet being, in her words, “the best damn mailman in the Navy.”
To every teammate with whom she played, and to every mid with whom she proudly served, Kristen modeled commitment, determination, and respect. Kristen loved her family and friends, her company, her team, and the Academy, and she gave selflessly of her time and energy, quite unaware of her impact on those around her.
And in the end, her cover topped Herndon, while her smile left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her."
For every MIDN 4/C Kristen Dickmann bracelet sold, $10 will be donated to K9s For Warriors.
From Grieco Family Funeral Homes:
“Kristen Marie Dickmann, a vibrant smiling 19 year old, had her life tragically cut short on May 5, 2008. Kristen was born in Pennsylvania, but moved shortly thereafter to Kentucky where she lived for 13 years, becoming along the way a devoted Cincinnati Bengals and Reds fan, as well as a devout UK basketball supporter. She steadfastly maintained her KY sports ties even after moving to Kennett Square in 2003. Kristen graduated from Unionville High School in 2007, celebrated as a stellar student athlete. She was both her volleyball team’s captain and MVP, as well as an All-State honoree, heading to the United States Naval Academy to begin her collegiate and professional career. She is survived by her parents Doug and Carrie Dickmann, her adoring brother Kyle and sister Cassie, her grandparents Jerry Kupetz (Colorado), Paul and Connie Dickmann (Florida) and Roselene and David Smith (Utah) and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She leaves behind countless memories of a young woman able to make the world smile with and at her.”