1948
Born to Richard G. Bickel Sr. and Ruth Lee Bickel in Manhattan, NY.
1965
Graduates high school in Glen Cove, NY.
1969
Earns a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of Pittsburgh.
1971
Works in Community and Transportation Planning at the Montgomery County Planning Commission (PA) until 1984.
1972
Earns a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.
1984
Is the director of the Strategic Planning Division at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC).
1990
Is the director of long range planning at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).
1998
Is the director of planning as well as an associate director of the DVRPC.
2005
Receives the Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence and Outstanding Service from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.
2010
Is named Site Visitor of the Year by the Planning Accreditation Board of the American Planning Association (APA).
2010
Receives professional recognition and is named a fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP).
2014
Retires from his role as director of planning at DVRPC.
2015
Is a senior advisor at Econsult Solutions and currently maintains that role.
2015
Receives the Planning Leadership Award for Distinguished Service from the PA Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA).
2021
Maintains his personal scholarship program through the PA APA Chapter for students who are pursuing a planning education.