Mr. Richard Vincent “Rick” Deitz passed away Thursday, May 6, 2010 after battling a lengthy illness. Rick was born July 15, 1953 in Mobile, AL to RV and Charlotte Deitz. He grew up in a military family with his parents, four sisters, and two brothers; living in Michigan, Colorado and Texas. Rick returned to his place of birth with his family and graduated from McGill Institute in Mobile in 1971. Rick attended Auburn University of South Alabama where he majored in English and graduated in 1976. Rick was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After college, Rick joined the U. S. Army as a private first class. His participation in the College Option Program allowed him to be commissioned in the
Quartermaster Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant, after completion of his Basic Training and Officer Candidate School. Among many things, Rick was sent to serve in Sinop, Turkey in 1979 and after eight years of service was sent to his final assignment at the U. S. Forces Command in 1984, at Fort McPherson. Rick met Barbara Sturm, fell in love and married her on June 27, 1981 on post at Fort McPherson. Rick retired from Civil Service at Ft. McPherson April 29, 2010. He led a life of selflessness, love, care, and a service to his family and country. No one enjoyed life more and made the best out of things than Ricky Dietz. His jokes, words, thoughts, hopes, dreams, and wisdom affected people from all over. He loved his family and friends more than life itself. Rick leaves behind his wife, Barbara Dietz; two sons, Richard and Bobby, all of Atlanta; his mother, Charlotte Deitz of Mobile, AL; one brother, Steve Deitz of Atlanta; four sisters, Cathy Merriem of Mobile, AL, Cheri Stanford of Mobile, AL, Debbie Lyons and Cindy Printz, both of Mobile, AL, as well as many extended family members and a multitude of friends. The family will be receiving family and friends from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at A. S. Turner & Sons with a memorial service immediately following at 7:00 P.M. Additionally, a funeral mass will be held the following day, Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 10:00 A. M. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Army Emergency Relief, 200 Stovall Street, Rm 5-N-13, Alexandria, VA 22332-0600. A. S. Turner & Sons