Dick graduated from Lloyd High School in Erlanger, KY in 1953. He attended Eastern Kentucky University, starting out in Engineering but changing his major to Industrial Arts. He received a Bachelor of Science degree with Area Specialist in Industrial Arts. While at EKU, he played four years of varsity baseball. In 1958, he coached varsity baseball at EKU while working on his teaching degree.

He moved to Miami, Florida to teach Industrial Arts and later came to West Union High School, where he coached and developed a new Industrial Arts program, designed classrooms and a new gym for basketball. Additionally, he helped design the new firehouse and the golf range.

Mr. Dudgeon came to Finneytown High School in 1962 to teach Industrial Arts and also coach track and football. In that same year, he worked on the lay-out of the Industrial Arts area, as well as the building and purchasing of equipment.

He was Varsity baseball coach from 1965 through 1989 and was selected to coach the West All-Stars three times and managed the team once.

From 1970-1981, his students took top honors in state and local Industrial Arts shows. Many of the projects included roll top desks, metal bending, welding and castings, and a hot rod car.

Mr. Dudgeon was also instrumental in the design and building of The Commons, the Betzing property (now known as Brent Field), and the lay-out of the soccer and baseball fields as well as the tennis courts.

Since retiring from Finneytown, he has built new houses for both his son and daughter, and has worked in heating and air conditioning service.