D. R. Dietrich

D. R. Dietrich, 82, of Waco, passed away Monday, September 1, 2014. Funeral services will be 10am, Saturday, Sept. 6 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Krupicka officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. Family will receive visitors 5-7pm Friday, Sept. 5 at Connally/Compton Funeral Home.

Mr. Dietrich was born on August 4, 1932 in Ft. Worth, TX to Fred A. and Lillie (Hilscher) Dietrich. He served his country in the US Army during the Korean War. D.R. married Edna Wenzel on March 22, 1959 in Rockdale, TX and they celebrated over 55 wonderful years together. He graduated from Waco H.S. and received a B.B.A.in Journalism from Baylor University. D.R. was a Professional Photographers of America award-winning photographer and the last surviving photographer of the Waco tornado. His early work was in television before beginning a 32-year career in the aerospace industry. He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church and Waco Kiwanis Seniors, and volunteered at Meals & Wheels and Habitat for Humanity. D.R. loved woodworking, photography, Roman History and traveling - especially to Italy. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Buford L. Dietrich; and brother-in-law, August Wenzel.

Survivors include his wife; Edna of Waco; son, Giddings Dietrich and wife Rosemarie of Austin; daughter, Jennifer Lee and husband Keith of Westphalia; granddaughters Bethani, Rachael and Regan Lee, all of Westphalia; sister-in-law, Gail Wenzel of Seguin; and special family Melaku and Tariqua Mekonnen.

He will be greatly missed by his family and the many people whose lives he touched.

Memorial gifts may be made to Lutheran Sunset Ministries, Meals & Wheels, and St. Matthew Lutheran Church.