ANNA MARIA – Longtime resident and former Anna Maria Elementary School principal Jack Dietrich, 92, passed away on Aug. 1.
A memorial service will be held at Roser Memorial Community Church on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 1 p.m.
In the early 1960s, Jack and his beloved wife, Betty, moved into the Anna Maria home originally built for Betty’s parents in the 1920s. Jack and Betty married in 1955; she passed away about a dozen years ago. Dietrich is survived by his daughters, Beth Conner and Jan Smith, his son, Greg Dietrich, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Before becoming a teacher, Dietrich flew fighter jets in the U.S. Air Force while stationed in Panama City, Florida. After moving to Anna Maria, he taught fifth grade at Bayshore Elementary, served as a teacher and the principal of a two-room school in Duette and taught fifth grade and served as the principal at Parrish Elementary. He was then transferred to Anna Maria Elementary School in Holmes Beach in 1967, where he served as the principal for four years.
“When I came to Anna Maria Elementary, it was a different program with the Island kids. They were good kids. I paddled some of them on the butt, but we’re still the best of friends,” Dietrich told The Sun in March.
He was then transferred to Ballard Elementary in Bradenton before he helped open H.S. Moody Elementary in Bradenton in the mid-70s, where he served as the principal until he retired in 1992.
When asked about his approach to work and life, Dietrich said, “I never had trouble with anybody and I was always friendly to everybody. I’m happy and not looking for problems. I’m 92 and I’m still going. Anytime the Lord wants me, I’m ready to go. I have a good life and I’m ready for the next one.”
Jack and Betty’s home on Mangrove Avenue features a large, wrap-around porch where they, as Florida State fans, often hosted football watching parties and other gatherings.
In his spare time, Dietrich liked to spend time on the nearby beach with his family. He also enjoyed sailing and he participated in sailboat races hosted by the Bradenton Yacht Club in Palmetto. While in his late 50s, Dietrich ran the New York City Marathon. Dietrich served as a deacon at the Island Baptist Church, which later became CrossPointe Fellowship. He served as a Gideon and was a former member of the Anna Maria Island Rotary Club.
Parting thoughts
When asked about her father’s passing, Beth said, “I am trying to imagine life without him. He was so loving and he stood for all things good. I will always continue to strive to make him proud and to become more like him.”
Jan said, “He will always be my hero.”
Greg said, “He was a wonderful husband to my mom, a great father to our family and a dear friend to all.”
Jack’s long-time friend, Rick Lewis, lived in Anna Maria until just recently.
“I first met Jack in the late 70s, when I met Jan and Greg. He was a blast to be around and some of the things he said have lived forever amongst our close-knit crew. The days and nights on his porch were epic, watching football, baseball and golf. After my father died in 1992, Jack became someone I could talk to like a dad. He was always there to listen. Jack was a special human who loved people, and it showed. The memories of the ‘porch’ and the words of wisdom Jack delivered will live with us forever. The Island has lost a great man. I love you, Jack,” Lewis said.
Dietrich’s longtime friend, Pat Slowey, and his wife, Annie, spend part of the year in Anna Maria and part of the year in Pittsburgh.
“Jack was the last of that generation of fine gentlemen and there’s so many people on the Island that knew him,” Pat Slowey said, speaking by phone from Pittsburgh.
“I used to sit with him at night and he would tell stories about growing up, moving to California to get his college education so he could get into the Air Force, his fighter pilot training, his excitement about getting over to Korea to help the cause and then things changed and the war was over and he finds himself down in northern Florida where he meets Betty – and the rest is history,” Slowey said.
“I’ve never met a better example of courage. I was with him up in St. Pete last fall when he had his colonoscopy. Beth and I drove Jack up and we knew it was going to be a battle. We talked to the surgeon and the oncologist and we knew that he was in palliative care. It was not something they could cure. We knew he had a short time to live and it was crazy how well he did, how long he lived and how long he was able to hang out with us. The last couple months were pretty rough, but I’ve never seen anything quite like the courage he exhibited. He’s an inspiration. It was a double-edged sword: You want him to be here because he’s so special, but you also want him to move on, which he was ready for. Jack was a man of faith and he knew where he was going. It’s tough, but he’s dancing with Betty now and it’s a new beginning for him,” Slowey said.
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