ROBERT “BOB” DIETRICH

Bob Dietrich, a resident of Los Altos for 50 years, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, December 12. He was 84. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Bob grew up in the small farming community of Richmond, Kansas. He served in the U.S. Navy as a medical corpsman during World War II and was stationed in San Diego when a surprise visitor entered the naval hospital one day while he was on duty, President Franklin Roosevelt. Bob went on to college following the war and met Joan, his wife of 59 years at Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. He earned his masters degree at UCLA and served as the Director of Occupational Therapy at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Menlo Park for almost 30 years. His concern for the vets was deep and heartfelt, demonstrated by his extra effort in taking patients to Stanford and Fortyniner football games on weekends during his off-hours.

Bob was a leader in Boy Scout Troop 33 for many years and relished his time in the outdoors with fellow leaders and the young men they served. He helped many a new scout find their place and was highly thought of by both the scouts and his fellow leaders. A member of Los Altos United Methodist Church since settling in Los Altos, his faith was quiet, yet deep.

Bob loved family and helped make holidays extra special times of great memories. He never forgot and loved to tell about, his strong Midwestern roots. Like others in the Dietrich family, he was particularly proud of the pioneer legacy of his great grandparents, who came from Germany and built a log cabin on the plains of Kansas. The Dietrich Cabin stands to this day in the town square in the county seat of Ottawa, Kansas.

Bob is survived by Joan, his son Gary and daughter Kerrin, both in Sacramento, his grandson Kellon and granddaughter Nicole. His son Lynn passed away in 1990 and Bob will rest next to Lynn in the town’s hilltop cemetery in Richmond, Kansas.

He will be remembered fondly and missed greatly. The family thanks all who have shared their thoughts and prayers and who were part of his life.