Adoption to Achievement: Passavant Resident Bob Dickinson’s Son Built a Legacy of Leadership

On a Monday night in March, the Men’s Night Out group at Passavant Community gathered to hear a story of resilience, purpose, and achievement. Guest speaker Jerry Dickinson took the floor, sharing his extraordinary journey from being adopted into a loving family to becoming a constitutional law scholar, civil rights attorney, Fulbright Scholar, and the youngest dean in the history of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Among the captivated audience sat his father, Passavant resident Bob Dickinson, watching with quiet pride as his son’s inspiring story came full circle.

Invited as part of the group’s monthly gathering, Jerry delivered a 30-minute talk on the U.S. Constitution and engaged residents in a thoughtful Q&A session covering current events and historical legal cases.

“I have a lot of thanks for all that my father did,” Jerry said to the group. His voice, measured but full of warmth, carried not just the tone of a son proud of where he came from but of a man who knew just how different his story could have been.

Born into uncertainty and placed in foster care at three months old, Jerry might have been another statistic. Instead, he became a legal scholar whose work influences national policy. His path began in the bustling home of Bob and his late wife, Judy Dickinson, where he was one of ten children—eight of whom were adopted, alongside Bob and Judy’s two biological children.

“We could tell early on that he was the kind of person who had goals and was always willing to work hard to achieve those goals,” Bob said. “He never said, ‘I want to do this,’ and sat back and hoped it would happen. He put in the time and work to make sure he accomplished those goals. And that’s what we saw.”

“When you are handed opportunities in life, I always said it’s important to take advantage of those opportunities,” Jerry shared.

Sometimes, it starts with a name. But what you do with it becomes the legacy. Jerry didn’t just inherit a last name—he built upon it.

His work ethic led him from foster care to law school, to international human rights work in South Africa, to his current role as the country’s youngest dean of any law school. His legal scholarships have been published in top journals, cited in U.S. courts, and referenced by members of Congress. But to Jerry, none of it would’ve been possible without the foundation built at home.

“I always look back and say, well, if I hadn’t been brought into the foster home and then adopted by my father and my mother,” said Jerry, “who knows where I would have been?”

He now lives in Pittsburgh’s Regent Square neighborhood with his wife, Emily, their daughters, Nyla and Aria, and their dog, Denzel. But no matter how far life takes him, Jerry said, he never forgets the steady support that helped get him there.

“They have always been such wonderful resources to have conversations about when things get tough,” he remarked, standing by his father. “I’ve been able to lean on your shoulder and walk and talk things through, and that’s always been a great aspect of our relationship.”

Bob emphasized that his pride extends to all his children, not just those who’ve achieved professional success.

“We’ve just been very blessed to have not just Jerry, but other children as well. We are really proud of all our children. Some have been more successful than others, but it doesn’t mean we didn’t love them and cherish them just as much, regardless of what they accomplished.”

Bob was quiet during most of the event, watching Jerry teach, answer questions, and shake hands. But afterward, he reflected on the big picture: the kind you can only see when you’ve lived long enough to watch your children become parents themselves.

“My wife and I couldn’t be more proud of how well he’s done,” Bob said. “He’s been an amazing son.”