Dr. F. Gene and Rosemary Dixon International Dental Students Endowment History
In the spring of 2005, Dr. F. Gene and Rosemary Dixon, longtime donors and friends to the Dugoni School, created the Dr. F. Gene and Rosemary Dixon IDS Endowment to provide scholarships for international dental students at University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. At that time, it was the first such endowment in the United States.
“I was blessed to have Gene and Rosemary Dixon as friends for over six decades,” recalled Dr. Art Dugoni. “When I became dean in 1978 they immediately volunteered to generously enhance a great school. I am grateful for their passion to make a difference in dental education at the Dugoni School of Dentistry.”
A native of Superior, Nebraska and graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry, Dr. Dixon settled in California in 1950, after his last tour of duty as a U.S. Navy dental officer brought him to the San Francisco Naval Shipyard. Despite being told it could not be done, Dr. Dixon pioneered dental insurance in 1955 by creating California Dental Service (now Delta Dental). He invested 28 years in the field of prepaid dental care through leadership of Delta Dental, which provides comprehensive dental care to millions of Americans.
In the mid-1950s Dr. Dixon volunteered as a faculty member at what would become the Dugoni School of Dentistry. He also assisted in the prosthetics department, became an associate alumnus and later served as chair of the P&S Club board of directors, now known as the Dugoni School Foundation.
Rosemary Dixon, née Basich, was born in Vancouver, Canada, the eldest daughter of immigrants from Croatia. At just six years old, her family returned to Croatia, living there for four years under difficult conditions. When they moved back to Vancouver, Rosemary, now 10, returned to the first grade where, among other cultural challenges, she had to re-learn the English language.
“Her childhood was spent in a tight-knit community of immigrants in Vancouver, and back in Croatia itself,” daughter Kathryn Dixon shared. “Life was not always easy. Mom often said that this immigrant’s experience had ‘altered’ her. ‘It changed how I look at things,’ she would say. And I know she meant ‘for the better.’ She learned to stay grounded, work hard, be kind, and dream big.”
As a young adult, Mrs. Dixon worked hard to develop excellent secretarial qualifications. At the age of 21 she moved to San Francisco, landing her first job as secretary to the founder of what is today Delta Dental, Dr. F. Gene Dixon. A few years later, Rosemary married Gene, a widower, and adopted his four children (aged 8 to 16) before having "number five" with Gene the following year. Their youngest daughter, Kathryn, would graduate from University of the Pacific's School of International Studies in Stockton.
Gene and Rosemary Dixon were married for 41 happy years. During this time they worked together to advance the concept of dental care in the United States and beyond. Later in life they were fortunate enough to be able to travel extensively around the world, meeting and enjoying people from all walks of life. The Dixons both believed passionately in education, hard work, and “aiming high.” They believed in people, their talents, and helping where they could. With these things and their own life experiences in mind, it felt natural to create a fund to benefit international dental students at the Dugoni School.
“My parents loved the Dugoni School,” according to daughter Sally Dixon-White. “They were passionate about the students, the faculty, the staff — and the holistic, human, approach to teaching. They were honored to be associated with the School.”
“They were pioneers. They had foresight, empathy, and conviction,” says Kathryn. “The creation of the IDS Endowment is an example of this, and makes me very proud.”
The purpose of the Dixon IDS Endowment is to fund annual merit-based scholarship awards for the IDS class. Award recipients are chosen by the Dean of the Dugoni School of Dentistry. Selection is to be based on leadership qualities and academic achievement.
“In establishing this endowment, it was our goal to help students help themselves, and to reward talent and hard work. And then pass it on to the next generation,” Rosemary stated at the 2015 Dixon IDS Award Reception. “The scholarship is not about us, but about you, the students.”
Dr. Dixon passed away in 2007, and Mrs. Dixon in 2019. Their legacy continues through the Dr. F. Gene and Rosemary Dixon IDS Endowment.
