Ted E. Dietrick

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Dietrick, Ted Eastman 90, passed away on November 2, 2013 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Oakton, VA, from complications due to muscular dystrophy (MD). Ted was born October 28, 1923, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the only child of Margaret and Russell Dietrick. In 1932, the family moved to St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where Russell built and ran Dietrick Lumber Company. Ted graduated from St. Louis Park High in June 1942 with letters in track and basketball. Ted began studies at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis in 1942, but joined the Army Air Force in January 1943. He was sent to Carleton College, Harvard University, and Chanute Field, where he was trained as an operator of the first high-altitude radiosonde weather balloons, producing weather reports for high- altitude, long-range bomber aircraft. Ted was discharged in 1946, having made steadfast friends and gaining a lifelong appreciation of the sky. After the war, Ted returned to St. Louis Park, helping his father with the lumber yard and studying at the University of Minnesota, where he earned a B.A. in Economics. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. At the University, Ted's Army buddy set him up with a blind date, Kathleen Pedersen. Ted and Kathleen married in September 1949. Settling in St. Louis Park, Ted and Kathleen had three children. Ted began a career as a traveling salesman in building products. He was active in the Lions' Club and other service organizations. One of his favorite projects was leading the building and running of a new Little League organization, called Lion's Field. Ted also coached his sons' baseball teams at Lion's Field. In 1968, Ted was hired by W.R. Grace to become a regional sales manager based in Atlanta, GA. Ted and Kathleen lived in Atlanta for the next 40 years, raising their family, enjoying their grandchildren, and making numerous friends. They both loved the beautiful flowers and trees of Atlanta. In 2008, they moved to an assisted living facility in Virginia, near their daughter. Ted was an avid reader, especially biographies, history, and the business press. Before he was afflicted with MD, he also enjoyed golf, which he shared with Kathleen on vacations. Ted also enjoyed construction and helped his children with building projects. Ted was a great listener, a famous story teller (sometimes lovingly called "liar"), intelligent, knowledgeable, thoughtful, caring, always willing to help, and beloved by many. Despite the pain of his disease, he always had a smile, joke or kind word for those who needed it. He was a wonderful husband, father and friend. Ted is survived by his children and grandchildren: Paul Dietrick and Holly Williams Dietrick and their daughters, Laureen and Thea, of John's Creek, GA; Laurie Dietrick Baker and Gregory Baker and their children, Matthew, Laura, and Morgan, of Dunn Loring, VA; and Scott Dietrick and his children Ryan and Emily, of Falls Church, VA. Ted and Kathleen were married for 59 years before her passing in 2008. Ted's remains will be inurned with Honors in the Niche Wall at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, on Monday, February 3, 2014 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Published on February 2, 2014