Staples Soccer Mourns Howard Dickstein P’73, ’75
Howard Dickstein — the father of Peter Dickstein ’73 and Steve Dickstein ’75, and one of Staples soccer’s most avid and longtime fans — died Thursday morning at his Westport home. He was a month shy of his 90th birthday.
Peter and Steve were pillars of Wrecker FCIAC and state championship teams in the early and mid-1970s. Both went on to captain their college teams: Peter at the University of Pennsylvania, Steve at Brown University. Howard Dickstein traveled all over the country watching his sons compete. One of his greatest delights was when the Quakers and Bruins played each other.
But he never lost his love for Staples soccer. He was a fixture on The Hill long after Peter and Steve graduated. A veteran of the advertising industry — after beginning his career as a sportswriter — in post-retirement he covered Staples soccer for the Minuteman newspaper.
In the early 2000s, plans were being drawn for a new Staples High School. An architect’s recommendations would have placed the building on Loeffler Field. Athletic facilities were to be relocated to the front.
At a Town Hall meeting, Howard Dickstein spoke. In a voice filled with emotion, he said, “You will not build a school on The Hill.”
They did not.
The Staples soccer community mourns the loss of our ardent fan, and sends condolences to the Dickstein family. Survivors in addition to his sons include his wife Kate, a former Staples special education tutor; his daughter Jane, and 5 grandchildren. Services will be private.
Howard Dickstein
