Edward Paul Dietrich

Edward Paul Dietrich, 100, of Highlands, NC and Deerfield Beach, FL passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2016 in Highlands. He was born May 14, 1916 in Salamanca, NY to Herbert H. and Maude Rich Dietrich.

Mr. Dietrich was a Commander in the United States Navy (Retired); was an Alumnus of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1940, and he saw action in three World War II ship commands, the Battle of the Atlantic, the Aleutians Campaign, the Central Pacific‑Marianas Campaign and post surrender mine‑sweeping in the Sea of Japan. Mr. Dietrich proudly served his country with 38 years of combined active duty and reserve service.

He served as Deerfield Beach City Commissioner; was a member of Deerfield Beach Civil Service Board and was Board Chairman of Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce as well as a Board member of Deerfield Beach Kiwanis Club and Kiwanis International Foundation Hickson Fellow. He was co‑founder and past president of Deerfield Beach Historical Society and was a Deacon of Community Presbyterian Church for over 30 years.

In 1947 he founded Deerfield Builders' Supply (DBS); was Board Chairman of DBS Florida Atlantic Forest Products and DBS Design Centers, which at their peak had $30,000,000 in annual sales and 100 employees. He was Board Chairman of Deerfield Beach Bank and Trust; served on the Board of Advisors of Southeast Bank; was Board Chairman of Broward Builders' Exchange (now Construction Association of South Florida) and was a founding member of Lumbermen's Credit Association of Florida.

An extraordinary woodwind musician, he was a member of regionally‑renowned Sunliners Jazz Ensemble, the Fort Lauderdale Symphony, the Boca Raton Pops, and the Deerfield‑Pompano Pops. He took up the bagpipes at age 90, and was a member of the Highlands Pipe and Drum into his early 90's.

Thousands have benefited from his quiet generosity and altruistic spirit. Whether rebuilding the Charlie Tigner family home after a devastating fire, wielding a paintbrush on one of his beloved historical city homes, expediting the shipment of over two million board feet of lumber for the Baptist Haiti Mission, supporting participation in the construction of over 100 Habitat for Humanity Homes, funding more than 80 Boy Scout Eagle Scout projects, or strapping on a tool belt to help build Fort Riverbend, he has always shared what he earned from his community.

Mr. Dietrich was married to the late Emily Olson Dietrich for 55 years and is survived by his wife of 19 years, Doris Legette Allen Dietrich; his two daughters, Joanna Leathers (Chester) of Gainesville, FL and Christina Flagg (David) of Gainesville, FL; his son, Edward H. Dietrich (Pat) of Boca Raton, FL; eight grandchildren and 13 great‑grandchildren.

He was extraordinarily generous with his talents, time, and treasure. His many accomplishments and contributions were always downplayed by his well‑developed and sincere sense of modesty.

Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Dietrich family. Online condolences may be made at bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.