Robert "Bob" John Dietlein

Our beloved Robert "Bob" John Dietlein, age 87, of Birmingham, AL passed from this earthly world to be with his heavenly Father on March 25, 2021. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born in Ridgewood, Queens, New York, the youngest of 4 children born to Eugene and Barbara (Froehlich) Dietlein. He married his sweetheart, Patricia Crim Dietlein, in Birmingham, AL after meeting her while serving in the Air Force. Bob received his meteorological training in the Air Force and from Penn State University. He spent most of his meteorological career with the National Weather Service, first in New York and then for the majority of his career, in Alabama. After "retiring", he continued with his lifelong dedication to meteorology and to his community, by working weekends at the Birmingham International Airport taking and recording official weather observations for the city of Birmingham. He was one of the oldest, if not the oldest, actively working meteorologist in the nation, working up until a month before his death.

Bob was a devoted family man and enjoyed time and travel with family, fishing, gardening, listening to Dixieland jazz, watching weather, and baseball. Bob frequently said he wished for 3 things in life: to be a meteorologist, to have a lake cabin, and to marry Patricia. He said he was blessed with all 3 and much more! Bob never met a stranger. He was known for his warm smile, witty humor, cheerfulness, hard-working attitude, selflessness and absolute dedication to family. He was a lifelong Christian and affiliated with the Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his daughters, Pamela Dietlein-Brown (Eric), Diane Dietlein-Cox (William); grandchildren, Cameron and Clayton Brown, Elizabeth and Coleman Cox; sister Peggy Alhofen, cousin Fr. Damian Dietlein, OSB., numerous nieces and nephews, and a legion of loving friends. He was affectionately known to his grandchildren as "Bobby Boy". He was predeceased by his parents Barbara and Eugene, his brother Eugene Dietlein, and sister Dorothy Ryan.

Family members serving as pallbearers include: Pamela Dietlein-Brown, Eric Brown, Cameron Brown, Clayton Brown, William Cox and Coleman Cox. Services will be at Ridout's Trussville Chapel, Birmingham, AL on March 29, 2021. Rev. Jim Auchmuty officiating. Visitation from 12:00-1:00 pm and funeral at 1:00 pm. Interment to follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham, AL. In addition to the Birmingham services, Bob's cousin, Fr. Damian Dietlein, OSB, will also be offering a Mass for Bob at the Assumption Abbey in North Dakota on March 29, 2021.

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Footnote of March 29, 2021:

Rev. Jim Auchmuty of Roebuck Plaza Baptist Church officiated with an ecumenical service at Bob's funeral. At the family's request, the service for Bob began with this quote from Revelations 21:4:

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

As a nod to Bob's love of meteorology and weather observations, an addition to the traditional service was this quote included in a eulogy written by Fr. Damian:

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, the famous Swiss-American psychiatrist and famous pioneer in her work on death and dying was asked one time where she was going when she died. She replied, "I'm going out dancing among the galaxies." Fr. Damian's comment was: "I can easily visualize Bob out dancing among the galaxies and observing all the different weather patterns."

Those close to Bob knew he loved all music and would often break into spontaneous song with some of his favorites. At Pat's request, the background music during visitation included the song by Roy Hamilton that she and Bob considered "our song" -- YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE, as well as AMAZING GRACE and THE LORD'S PRAYER. Then, in special recognition of Bob's love of Dixieland jazz music, the recessional when his casket was carried out was accompanied by a lively version of one of Bob's favorites, WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN.  

As a Veteran of the United States Air Force, Bob received Military Honors at the graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery. Military Honor Guards were standing at attention as the funeral procession arrived. The bugler played Taps and, following Rev. Auchmuty's benediction, there was a flag folding ceremony and the folded U.S. flag was presented to Patricia.