Roy Russell Dieterich
October 2, 1954 ~ June 21, 2016
Resided in:
Pleasanto, CA
Roy Russell Dieterich
October 2, 1954 – June 21, 2016
Roy Dieterich started every day wanting to make someone else's life just a little bit better. If he could make something, fix something or say something that made a friend's day brighter, Roy felt fulfilled.
Roy's life began on October 2, 1954. He was born in San Francisco and grew up in Fremont. His love of tools and tinkering began early with his building blocks, electric trains, erector sets and go carts. He experienced great joy from working with his hands.
Upon graduation from Chabot College, Roy wanted to work for BART and reached that goal almost immediately. Roy joined BART in 1975 and was there until his retirement in March 2015.
The passions in Roy's life were a love of cars – especially his Corvette, a love of tools (of which he owned thousands) water skiing and having dinner with his friends.
He had a profound love for animals and cherished his friends deeply.
Roy's family and friends will miss him more than words can say.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the San Francisco SPCA.
Carrie, I am so sorry for your loss. Roy was a special guy, and his courage and love of life are inspiring to all of us. My sincere sympathy to you and your family, Zana
Roy was someone who truly enjoyed life! I remember talking to him at one of Leslie Mills’ parties and him describing a terrifying (to me anyway) drive with his Corvette! He truly loved that car. He was such a kind and gentle man, but always up for just about anything. He was the honorary “Diva Man” on our Team Diva – he walked in several of our Relay For Life events, fundraisers for American Cancer Society.
He will be missed.
Roy was a rare and special person, a true friend that you could count on. His strength and love of life is definitely inspiring. Roy lived by his words “Enjoy every day”. We will miss him greatly. Rest in Peace, Roy.
My association with the ever-cheerful Roy was largely limited to annual brunches at Leslie’s and the occasional dinner out celebrating a birthday of a member of our mutual circle of friends. During these times our conversations would, more often than not, include cars, home improvement projects, and tools. One rare deviation to our social norm was a Saturday afternoon spent putting his fast and nimble Japanese Vette, a 1996 Acura NSX, through the paces. After a blistering, high speed run along 580, I exited, slowed way down and rounded the 30 mph cloverleaf at around 70. “Not fast enough.” he said frowning.
My brother from my other mother. Will be missed every day in my life and my families. Uncle Roy as my children called him. 30 plus years of friendship. Corvettes and boats, many trips to Shasta house boating . Never left our houses unless every thing was done and I place. I remember when he bought his boat. Pulled the kids tubing and skiing all day. Roy was determined to get up on a single. Never pulled anyone for so long getting him up. Once that happen, off and running. One special time I will always remember was taking mom ( Ruby) out for a day on the delta and meeting up at Bill Gyllings house and watching them have a great time. Will miss Roy at Thankgiving and Xmas. He is in my heart for EVER. Big Brother, Ed
Rest easy dear friend. Your attention to detail and discipline to do it better will never be matched. Thank you for showing me what it means to be the best version of yourself. I am happy to know that now your are no longer in pain though the cost of it is the loss of your presence. Your journey is not over, it’s only taken a different direction. And I’m certain if there’s something broke or just not working like it should in heaven, you’re there either fixing it, making it better, or double reinforcing its mounts with machine screws or even better yet doing a combination of it all. I hope you got the reply from the message you sent this past Easter. I never got the chance to tell you but we’ve got a bun in the oven and I’m sure you’ll be looking down on us every now and then, which gives us comfort. And though I will miss the conversations we used to have, it doesn’t mean that I’ll stop talking to you. Till we meet again.
I know you are finally at peace and surrounded by loved ones and animals. We were all blessed to know you and to be warmed by your light. Thank you for all the “little jobs” you helped me with and your donations to help feed the cats at Hayward. You are dearly loved by a select group of true friends and I am fortunate to be one of them. You will stay in my thoughts forever because you were that kind of special person in my life. Go with God my friend.
I just learned of Roy’s passing. I hung out with Roy about 35years ago in our “wilder” years. He was one of nicest , most decent persons I have ever had the pleasure to meet . I am lucky to have ever known him and deeply saddened of the news of his passing. I remember his Corvette and Black El Camino both in Cherry Condition. He kept both of his Cars and his House so clean and neat ! It was just another mark of his fine character . I will always miss you bro…especially “your laugh”. I know The Lord is taking care of you now !