Thomas Harmon Dietterich crossed the finish line on April 22, 2023, after making 80 dynamic laps around the track of life.
Born in Lansdale, Pa., on Sept. 27, 1942, Tom spent his childhood eating egg sandwiches, adoring his mother, and instigating general hijinks around the neighborhood. As a teen, he financed his burgeoning social life and heart-throb looks by starting a carwash “business” on the side streets of North Wales. During high school, Tom was introduced to the art of reprographic engineering by his brother, Charles, and went on to make this his career, eventually opening Dietterich Corporation in Pipersville, Pa., which provided blueprints for Bethlehem Steele, Ingersoll Rand, The City of New York, and numerous other industrial clients. In his retirement, Tom drove school buses for First Student, transporting countless local children safely and punctually to academic, sport and leisure activities.
Throughout his life, Tom was active in vintage auto racing as well as antique car collecting. His 1940 Pontiac and prize-winning 1929 Hupmobile were seen in parades and car shows around Bucks County. He spent several years racing his 1959 MGA on the vintage circuit and often boasted that he never lost a race, though admittedly, never won one either. He enjoyed many years as both a volunteer and board member of the New Hope Auto Show. Tom was an avid reader, philosopher, writer, chef, singer and jazz enthusiast. He drank coffee at all hours and loved autumn in New England, eating at old-fashioned diners, taking the scenic route on every road trip, and complaining about the Philadelphia Eagles.
He will be missed by many friends along with his surviving family members, including brothers Jim and Charles Dietterich, sister Florence Dietterich Bagosy, wife of 48 years Marne Dietterich, daughters Lisa Snider, Amy Dietterich Erksoussi and Kerry Dietterich, grandchildren Ashley Snider McClennen, Josh Snider, Mae and Sam Erksoussi, great-grandson Finn McClennen and many nieces and nephews. He was reunited at the finish line with his parents Mabel and Walter, as well as brothers Bob, Stan, Walter Jr. and sister Doris.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please honor Tom by taking a friend out for a cup of coffee at your favorite diner.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2 at Doylestown Presbyterian Church.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
