Obituary of Donald Walter Dietrich

June 30, 1940 - April 5, 2026

Donald Walter Dietrich, 85, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 5^th, 2026, at the Hamilton General Hospital with loved ones by his side.

Born in Waterloo, Don was the son of the late Hubert and Madeline (nee Forwell) Dietrich.

He is survived by his cherished daughter, Breanna; his six grandchildren, Zachary, Trinity, Greysan, Mateo, Esmarelda and Phoenix; siblings Diane (late Doug Lorentz), Carol Ann (Peter Straus), David (Karen Sarre), and Terry; and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are sister-in-law Jan Keller, and former spouse Marilyn O’Brien.  Don was predeceased in death by his brother Paul and sister-in-law Connie (Reidel). 

Don began his lifelong study of theology at St. Peter’s Seminary in London in 1958, completing consecutive degrees in Philosophy and Theology.  Don’s “halcyon days” at the Sem helped him to cultivate his natural gifts of kindness, compassion, and generosity. In the mid-seventies, after a brief interim as a teacher at St. Jerome Boy’s School, he went on to serve as Clergy in several mountainside communities in Bolivia, South America.  This life-changing experience left him with a deep understanding of the relationship between true faith and social justice; global politics, economics; inclusion, and especially peacebuilding. After his return to Canada, Don worked as part of an inter-church alternative trade project (GATT-Fly), which tirelessly challenged unjust economic structures and the oppression of the poor.  As a part of this effort, Don co-facilitated national conferences on the conditions of South American sugar workers—which was the highlight of his career.  For the rest of his life, he would interpret the plight of the marginalized through the Christian scriptures—which he knew by heart, regularly referenced, and always quoted!  In 1985, he completed his Doctor of Divinity from St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto and spent the remainder of his work-life as a schoolteacher in both Toronto and Waterloo. 

In the last decades of his life, Don developed yoga and meditation practices, travelled to India to study Hinduism/Buddhism, began a serious study and practice of a non-duality wisdom tradition, and immersed himself in interreligious dialogue.  To this end, he became a treasured friend of the KW Turkish Muslim community, a regular congregant of the Mennonite Church, and a daily participant in a nation-wide online meditation community—which was close to his heart until the end.  It was in these contexts that Don met his teacher and beloved friend, Ginger Cunes; “little granddaughter” Saba Hassan; and “Anam Cara” Jenny MacDougall, with whom he shared a deep love and eternal bond. 

Until the end of his life, Don’s spiritual strength manifested in joy, especially when doing the things he loved: biking far-and-wide throughout KW (in every season!!), cross-country skiing, early mornings walks on the UW campus, and singing (at every opportunity!!) in his beautiful baritone voice.  His personal model of “steadfast love and compassion,” and his desire to fully embody the mystery of life, was his final teaching.  May he find his eternal rest—as he was fond of saying—“in the arms of the angels,” and may he be “resurrected” in those he loved so dearly.

Cremation has taken place. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Louis Roman Catholic Church, 53 Allen Street E., Waterloo, on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 11 a.m., with Father Phil Reilly C.R. officiating.  A reception will follow in the Fireside Reception Room at the Erb and Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo.

In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family and donations in Don’s name may be made to the Working Centre online at https://www.theworkingcentre.org/donate/ by calling the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com.