Erich Peter Ditschman

Erich Ditschman—a family man, friend, writer, and advocate who lived life passionately and to its fullest—passed away unexpectedly on January 1, 2025, at the University of Michigan Sparrow Hospital, following a cardiac arrest at home.

Born on May 14, 1965, in Nyack, New York, Erich was the son of Marjorie (Ayotte) Clary and Harry “Hans” Ditschman. He later moved to Michigan, where he met his true love, Andria Moore, on a high school band trip. Their love story lasted 44 years. On the morning of his passing, Erich and Andria shared a peaceful start to the day, enjoying croissants and coffee while watching the Rose Bowl Parade.

After graduating from Port Huron High School in 1983, Erich received a Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University (1987) and a Master of Science from Michigan State University (1991).

He led his life with a love and humor that was contagious and humbling. Erich didn’t just value family and friendship, he built them deliberately, creating lasting memories. He was a devoted father to his two beloved children, Jacob Ditschman and Antonia Ditschman. He was endlessly proud of both of them and made sure they knew every day that blood is not thicker than water. He was committed to caring for his mother-in-law, Patricia Moore.

As an environmental scientist, Erich spent years advocating for rivers and watershed resources. After receiving a diagnosis of end stage kidney disease in 2001, he turned his passion toward advocating for people with kidney disease, organ donors, and home dialysis. He met his health challenges with strength, positivity, and lust for life. Along the way, he helped countless others to live their best lives.

Erich was preceded in death by his parents, his great-uncle Jim McIntosh, and his aunts Bonnie Lorenz and Dotty Ditschman Baker. He is survived by his wife, his children and their partners, his aunts Diane McIntosh and Gail Marquis, and many loving in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews, and a host of long-time friends, including a close-knit group whom he considered brothers: Jon Guske, Joe Helton, Stephan Kyle, and Kevin Thomas.

A celebration of Erich’s life will be held Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing, with a visitation at 1:00 p.m. and a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Erich would have liked donations to be made to the National Kidney Foundation or the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan.