Richard Lee Dittman

Richard Lee Dittman went home to be with the Lord at the young age of 68 on March 4, 2018 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Hamilton, Ohio on May 12, 1949 to Vernon and Inez (Townsend) Dittman. He graduated from Talawanda High School in 1967 where he was remembered by many classmates as: “a great friend and classmate”, “one of the good guys”, “a special young man”, “a very kind and thoughtful guy”, “a great guy”, “great basketball player”, “wonderful classmate”. During his youth years in High School he was involved in 4H, showing and riding horses, playing basketball, and being involved in agriculture and working on the family farm. After High School he attended Ohio State University, Go Buckeye’s!

In 1971, he moved to Florida and worked in the family hardware store his parents started. A short time after being in Florida, he met the love of his life at a gathering in an orange grove in Pasco County amongst friends and on March 16, 1973, he married Peggy Ann (Williams) Dittman. On March 20, 1978 he joined the elite Tampa Fire Department and rose through the ranks to Captain and retired on September 29, 2007 after 29 ½ years of service. On October 13, 2006 he was awarded with the Esprit De Corps.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf with friends and family, a casual game of horseshoes and even competed a few times in the Firefighter Olympics. He loved his time at his mountain home in North Carolina. He would spend his time in the mountains doing various things from sitting on the porch with Peggy watching the birds, deer, and bear in the tree lines below their porch, to seeking waterfalls in the area, or just sitting with a cup of coffee and reading a good book.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Peggy Dittman; his sons, Richard (Carla) Dittman, David (Ellen) Dittman, William (Kristin) Dittman, and Brian; six granddaughters, Samantha, Courtney, Leigh, Taylor, Skyler, and Adelyn; two great grandchildren, Bryce and Bailee; his brother, Steve (Janis) Dittman; his sister in law Kathy Dittman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Inez (Townsend) Dittman; a sister, Claudia Dittman; and a brother Keith Dittman.

Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church Lutz, 18116 N US Hwy 41, Lutz, FL 33549, on March 12, 2018 at 2:00 PM with Pastor Charles White officiating. Visitation will be held on March 12, 2018 at First Baptist Church Lutz from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. Following the service, there will be a celebration of life starting at 4:00 PM with refreshments at the Tampa Firefighters Museum located at 720 E Zack Street, Tampa, FL 33602.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, Shriner’s Hospital, or St. Jude Hospital.