David Rudolph Dickens

Beloved Professor David Rudolph Dickens, 71, passed away peacefully at his Las Vegas home on Saturday, October 8, 2022. He was born December 22, 1950, to David Dickens, Sr. and Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Dickens, in Mobile, Alabama and was a 38-year resident of Las Vegas. David was born into a proud military family that valued honor, duty and integrity – qualities that David embodied throughout his life. He is survived by his soulmate and the love of his life, Angelique ‘Angie’ (Mills) Dickens (married for 23 years) and his cherished children Neemah and Shayda and grandson Isaac. He will also be missed by his much loved and treasured cats: Sunshine, Jazzi, Shadow, and Kitty. He is furthermore survived by his Stepfather Archie, Brother Larry, Nieces (Caroline, Veronica, and Rachel), and Mother-in-Law Lynn Mills. In addition to his loving family, David is also survived by an endless list of loyal, devoted and committed friends, colleagues, and students stretching over decades (from the University of Kansas, Southern Methodist University, the University of Kentucky, and The University of Nevada, Las Vegas).

David was an extraordinary intellectual and scholar who possessed a genius I.Q. After serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, he moved to Las Vegas in 1984 and earned the reputation as a highly valued, well-respected, and vital member of UNLV’s Sociology Department. He was known by family, friends, and colleagues as a preeminent scholar with an insatiable appetite and love of knowledge - of which he generously shared with others. David was an extremely popular professor who is well-loved, appreciated, and admired by both undergraduate and graduate students. David was known for his fierce support of UNLV, The Sociology Department, professional colleagues, and especially his students. For over 38 years, David was an essential part of University life and contributed much to UNLV’s growing reputation as a first-class, thriving and exciting research institution.

More importantly, David was an exceptional human being who will long be remembered for his kindness, compassion, empathy, and generosity towards others. His brilliance, selflessness, quick wit, sense of humor, (as well as love, encouragement, and support for others) will be deeply missed. A captivating storyteller, one of David’s memorable sayings was: “Be a Mensch!” That is, be a human being first, for he always believed that we will all be judged by our willingness to love and care for others. His death is an immense loss, ache, and void in the lives of those who love him the most. Yet, his life, deeds, and accomplishments will always remain an inspiration to all, especially to his family. He is eternally loved and honored by his wife, Angie, and by his children, Neemah and Shayda. He had a deep passion for life and lived it energetically and vigorously! Through his charismatic teachings and mentorship, Dr. David Dickens will forever remain immortalized by his students and loved ones.

David was a military brat who graduated from Junction City High School (Class of 1968) in Junction City, Kansas. In high school, David was an exceptional athlete who excelled and ranked in several sports and ran track for the University of Kansas. After high school, he attended the University of Kansas and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy (1973). Additionally, David attended the prestigious Summer Institute in Social Theory from Boston University (1977) and earned his Ph.D. at the University of Kansas in Sociology in 1984. Professor Dickens is the author and editor of numerous books, including Postmodernism and Social Inquiry; Las Vegas: The Social Production of an All-American City; Forgotten Founders and Other Neglected Social Theorists; Neglected Social Theorists of Color; and the upcoming Electronic Dance Music: From Deviant Subculture to Culture Industry. His areas of specialization include Theory (Critical theory and Postmodernism), Qualitative Methods, Commodity Culture, and International Development. He is also the author of several dozen articles and book chapters, published in numerous journals, including Sociological Perspectives, Cultural Studies, Symbolic Interaction, and the International Journal of Comparative Sociology. He also served on numerous leadership committees through his professional career.

Funeral arrangements will be held at Palm Mortuary (7600 S. Eastern Avenue). The Viewing (‘Visitation’) will be on Saturday, November 5th from 5:00-9:00 pm and the Funeral will be held on Sunday, November 6th from 1:00-2:00 pm. This will be followed by a catered reception from 2:00-4:00 pm.

A Livestream will be available for anyone who is unable to attend the Funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s honor and memory can made to the UNLV Department of Sociology by noting “David Dickens” in the Gift Form

Website: engage.unlv.edu/sociology

If you need any support with this, please call the UNLV Foundation Office at (702) 895-3641.