Frank W. Schaffner
There is an old African saying that a person still lives as long as his name gets mentioned. Dieter will long be remembered. People will think of his name every time they walk through the front door on their new home. They will think of his name every time they light the grill on their new deck. I will remember his name every time I lift up a piece of wood.
The grade school verse about the carpenter that picked up his hammer and saw epitomizes my brother’s life. Dieter picked up his hammer and saw a better life in everything he did. He saw a better neighborhood, a better family, and a better self. He taught me to be proud of the work I do and that work is a reflection of our selves.
Nearly everyone here can look into their lives and see Dieter’s hand. It’s like that with God too. We can see God in everything if we look carefully. Fittingly, Dieter now sits at God’s side and smiles at all the goodness in our lives.
Dieter passed away the morning of April 16, 2018. Shortly there after, a loud thunderclap announced his arrival to the halls of Valhalla, and then onward through the perilie gates of heaven. Today he is enjoying the company of his father, brother and numerous friends, all who passed on far to early for their time.
This morning, as I write, blossoms are falling from a tree. That beautiful sight reminds me that our lives here on earth are so brief. Like those falling blossoms, we live our lives for a short while, and then pass away. Yet the tree endures. The fallen peddles spurring new life. And like those fallen peddles, Dieter’s life endures in all his good deeds and loving family. He was a good husband, father, brother, neighbor, and friend to all.
The work of an honest man, feeding the tree of life. Embellishing our world. We will never forget his name.
Thursday April 19, 2018 at 10:32 am
