Interviewer(s): D. Z. Toups. Thibodaux, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

Dr. George Dickie is the father of a co-worker of mine. By chance, during a conversation with her, she mentioned that her parents were originally from Ohio, but moved here when her father was working as a geologist for an oil company. I contacted Dr. Dickie after his daughter, Georgia Elfert, said that her father was willing to share his story. Dr. Dickie has a master's degree in Geology and at 28-years-old went back to school to become a dentist.

I interviewed Dr. Dickie in his home and was fascinated with the story of how he decided to change careers due to a "downturn in the oil industry" and the fear that he may loose his job due to cut backs. He worked for The California Company (now Chevron) in the summer while in graduate school, working on his masters in Geology. He also worked for the same company for 6 years following his graduation. This is when he was introduced to South Louisiana where he eventually settled to raise his family and spend his entire career in dentistry. He is now retired, living in Thibodaux.

Dr. Dickie was very friendly, interesting, and humorous in his account. He explained that when he became a dentist he was "still in the drilling business, but not near so many dry holes".