Thomas Julian Dieter

November 17, 1935 - October 26, 2020

Thomas Julian Dieter, 84 of Evansville, IN, more recently residing in Grass Valley, CA passed away October 26, 2020. He was born November 17, 1935 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He graduated from Purcell High School in Cincinnati, OH and received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame - “the little church school” in South Bend, IN in 1957. He married Marita Rose Reising on October 9, 1965 in her hometown of Fort Branch, IN at Holy Cross Catholic Church. They raised their four children in Evansville in a home that took Tom many years to complete. After 25 years working at Emge Packing Co, the family business, Tom had a second 10-year career as an engineering lab instructor at the University of Southern Indiana. Tom had an enduring desire to be helpful and a genuine care for others. These qualities were evident in all aspects of his life, from small personal interactions to involvement in numerous groups. He was a leader in Boy Scouts long after his sons had finished, staying on for many years to teach his favorite scouting skills, pioneering and rope-work. Tom was an avid woodworker, craftsman and fixer of all things. Whatever was needed, he always preferred to make it himself, from building all the cabinets in the house to sewing the flags he used as a soccer referee. His impulse to be helpful meant that the projects of others usually came before his own, which was at times exasperating to Marita, as those cabinets took a long time to finish. Tom’s Catholicism was an extremely important part of his life. As partners in faith, he and Marita participated in the Cursillo movement. From that experience he formed a deep and lasting bond with the members of a weekly men’s prayer group dedicated to bringing action to their faith. He and Marita were long time and active parishioners of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a community they very much loved. They were part of a group of fellow parishioners who met weekly to assist St. Vincent DePaul in addressing the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods. His curiosity and many interests gave him a love of travel, be it family camping in the west or cathedral hopping across Europe. He drew people in with his wit and charm, and perhaps his amazing head of hair. Late in life, his graceful acceptance of his memory loss softened his edges. He turned a deficit into a gift with an easy humor and charisma that brightened those around him. His beautiful smile and spine-adjusting hugs will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julian and Thelma Dieter, brother Bill, wife Marita and late in life companion, Betty. He is survived by his children Bill (Martha), James, Ann Marie (Dan), and Elizabeth (Kristy) along with granddaughters Shea, Thea, Lauren and Grace. Tom is also survived by his five sisters Susan, Mary (Clyde), Barbie (Jim), Cathie (Jerry), and Peggy (Mike). Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 16, 2020 at Sts, Mary and John Catholic Church, 613 Cherry Street. A Vigil service will begin at 11:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the church with Father Stephen Lintzenich officiating. Due to the global health crisis, masks will be required and the family will be observing social distancing. The Mass will be streaming live on the Ziemer Funeral Home and Cremation Services Facebook page 20 minutes prior to the start of the service. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s memory to St. Meinrad Seminary, 200 Hill Drive, St. Meinrad, IN 47577. Condolences may be made online at www.ziemerfuneralhome.com.