Richard Joseph DIETER

8 APR 1930 - 20 JUL 2007

• BIRTH: 8 APR 1930, Kentland, Newton, Indiana
• DEATH: 20 JUL 2007, South Bend, St Joseph, IN

INDEX

[N20983] Dr. Richard Joseph Dieter
April 8, 1930 - July 20, 2007
Dr. Richard Joseph Dieter, 77, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 5:30 AM Friday, July 20, 2007 in Memorial Hospital, due to natural causes. He was born on April 8, 1930 to the late Edward Jacob and Frances K. (Webster) Dieter in Kentland, IN, and has lived in South Bend since 1942, coming from Spartanburg, SC. Along with his parents; one brother, Harry Webster Dieter also preceded him in death. Dr. Dieter retired on April 8, 2000, as a self-employed Podiatrist in South Bend, after 40 years of practice. On August 13, 1955, he married Flora Jean Solzan at Holy Cross Catholic Church in South Bend, IN. She survives. Along with his loving wife, Flora Jean, of 51 years; he is survived by one daughter, Daria Denise Dieter of South Bend, IN; two sons, Derek David (Suzy) Dieter of South Bend, IN; Dr. Damian Drew (Ann Marie Stewart) Dieter of South Bend, IN; five grandchildren, Jessica Lynn Dieter, Lindsay Michele Dieter, Nolan Ryan Dieter, Gehrig Richard Fredrick Dieter, and Thurman Michael Dieter; one sister, Mary Jane Barkdoll of Gaithersburg, MD; and one brother, Thomas Edward (Emily) Dieter of South Bend, IN. Dick Doc Dieter touched everyone who came to know him. He was truly one of those people everybody loved. Whether he was attending one of his grandchildrens sporting events or serving as the convention chairman at the largest air show in the country at Oshkosh, Wisconsin he treated everyone as if they were the most important person in the world. Doc worked as a podiatrist and surgeon on the northwest side of South Bend for over 40 years. He enjoyed his relationship with all of his patients, many times treating them for free if they could not afford medical care. He still made house calls to his elder patients long after most physicians gave up that practice. Dick cared most deeply for his family, cherishing his wife Jean, their children Derek, Daria and Damian as well as his five grandchildren. Dick had a way of making all of them feel as if the world revolved around them. He honored his parents E.J. and Francie by keeping a close relationship with his own siblings whom they named Tom, Dick and Harry as well as his sister Mary Jane. Surviving are Tom and Mary Jane. His love for flying spanned his entire life. He was director of the Warbirds of America for over three decades and piloted many vintage aircraft including an AT-6, a T-28, the P-51 Mustang, a TBM Avenger, an O-2 as well as many others. For many years Dick kept his T-28 at Stockerts flying service on Lincolnway West where passer-bys could see his DD emblazoned in red, white and blue on the tail of the plane. It was with this aircraft that he gave hundreds of rides to anyone who would ask. His hangar at South Bend airport was an unwritten tourist stop in South Bend for many years with his extensive war memorabilia collection. In 1996 he was inducted into the Warbird Hall of Fame in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Dick loved to play cards and played religiously after his retirement. Whether it was at the Elks club on McKinley, Busbys tavern on Lincolnway or My Place on Portage you could always find him in a game. He taught his grandsons to play poker and euchre and they enjoyed trying to beat grandpa long into the night many evenings on Portage Avenue. For some reason win or lose the boys always returned home with a little more cash in their pockets than they had left with. Dicks compassionate spirit is his legacy. He will be truly missed by all who loved him. If he were to leave a final thought summing up his life for all to remember it would be these three words; Keep em Flying Dick was a member of the St. Joseph County sheriffs posse/air patrol, a BPOE Elks member of lodge no 235 for 44 years, the Director and Vice President of the Warbirds of America, the 1967/68 president of Chet Waggoner little league, the owner/founder of Portage Foot Clinic and Surgicenter, a lifetime member of Fitness USA, and he was a lifetime parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 1-3 PM Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN. Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 PM Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at Kaniewski Funeral Home. Military Services will follow. Reception and Warbird air tribute will immediately follow the funeral service/visitation at the home of Derek and Suzy Dieter 4903 Starboard Drive, South Bend, IN. In lieu of memorial contributions, the family requests that you please send flowers. To send condolences, or to sign the guestbook, please visit, www.kaniewski.com.