Hans-Dietrich Walther, the oldest of three children, was born February 1, 1933, to Rheinhold Walther and Martina Triebel in Leipzig, Germany. As a young boy, he experienced the devastation of WWII and the subsequent occupation of Eastern Germany by the Soviet Union. After high school, he made his way to Frankfurt, West Germany, where he attended University. In the mid-1950’s he came to the University of Chicago as an exchange student to pursue his master’s degree and doctoral studies in Medieval German Literature. From there he took a position at the University of Michigan, married Sandra Platz, and had their son, Christopher. Soon after, he accepted a teaching position at Rutgers University as a professor of German Literature. He lived in various places in New Jersey for the next 56 years, becoming a naturalized American citizen in 1970.
His skill with the camera led him both to start his own photography business and later teach photography at Middlesex Community College. He loved reading and over the years compiled an extensive scholarly library on ancient civilizations. In his retirement years, he traveled with his wife, Barbara Drescher, using his camera to document significant cultural and historical locations and artifacts of interest.
In March 2019, he relocated to Greensboro, NC to live out his last years with his family. He spearheaded projects to beautify the home and have an outdoor garden landscaped for family and friends to enjoy. In his final weeks of life, he asked Jesus Christ to forgive his sins and be his Savior and shared his assurance of eternal life with family and hospice staff.
He is pre-deceased by his younger siblings, Albrecht Walther and Christel Gehler, and by his second wife, Barbara Drescher.
He is survived by his son, Christopher Walther (Leiann), granddaughter Erin Elizabeth May (Baylor), great-granddaughter Leityn Alise May and Leityn’s sibling on the way.
A private memorial service for family and friends is planned for May 2, 2021. Any floral tributes for delivery may be directed to Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Service, 515 N. Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401.
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