Terrill Robin Dietrich, 69, died Thursday, March 19th, 2020 at his home in McDonald, Tennessee following his courageous struggle with cancer.
He leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Pamela (Smith) Dietrich; his daughter, Nikki (Brandon) Sutton; his son, Mark Dietrich; his four grandchildren: Hayden, Dylan, and Landon Dietrich, and Cassie Sutton; his sisters, Coleen Jenkins of Collegedale, Tennessee, and Monteal Dietrich of Grass Valley, California; his brothers, Jon Dietrich, and sister-in-law, Beth Dietrich of Virginia City, Nevada, and Charles Dietrich of Grass Valley, California; and many bereaved nieces and nephews, friends, and former students.
The oldest of five children, Mr. Dietrich was born in New Rockford, North Dakota to Merle and June (Bauman) Dietrich.
Mr. Dietrich graduated high school in 1969 from Rio Lindo Adventist Academy in Healdsburg, California. He went on to earn his B.A. in Art Education in 1973 from Pacific Union College in Angwin, California. Later, he completed his formal education by obtaining a Master of Education from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan in 1978.
With a teaching career that spanned over 43 years, Mr. Dietrich taught art to students on the elementary, secondary, and university levels. His first two positions were in Berrien Springs, Michigan at the Ruth Murdock Elementary School and Andrews Academy.
Mr. Dietrich’s myriad talents came to fruition in 1982 when he transferred to Forest Lake Academy in Orlando, Florida where he taught art, photography, and yearbook and served as the Assistant Dean of Boys. For 18 years, along with teaching, Mr. Dietrich sponsored the Student Association, and many mission trips, senior class trips, biology trips, and ski trips. Ultimately, he left his artistic legacy by building several school projects, including: the Forest Lake Academy school sign, various school play backdrops, and the Student Association banquet backdrops. In his final years, Mr. Dietrich taught art at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee and at Brainerd High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Throughout his career, Mr. Dietrich remained committed to helping his students to see their potential. His twin passions of teaching and his family gave him great joy.
In his spare time, Mr. Dietrich enjoyed fishing and driving his Can-Am Ryker. His creative outlets included woodworking and photography.
Mr. Dietrich and his wife, Pam, were active members of the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist in Collegedale, Tennessee.
The Seventh-day Adventist community, former students, and Mr. Dietrich’s family mourn his passing.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made at WWW.WestGeorgiaCrematory.com
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