Dieter Einhart Gaupp

1924 - 2021

Dieter Einhart Gaupp

Dieter Einhart Gaupp, born May 6, 1924 entered God's heavenly kingdom on March 12, 2021. Born in Breslau, Germany (now Poland), to Ilse and Frederick Gaupp, he is survived by his son and daughter in law, Bill and Patty Gaupp, three granddaughters, Kelly Villasenor, Becky Pahlka and Christy Stacy and their spouses, and six great grandchildren. Additional survivors include brother, Peter Gaupp and his wife, Jo-Lou Gaupp, nephew, Andrew Gaupp and family and niece Robin Gaupp and family. He is predeceased by his wife and love of his life, Fannie Belle Gaupp, with whom he was married for 54 years.

In 1934, Dieter's parents wisely sent him to live with friends in Italy, in order to avoid the dangers on increasing Nazi influence in Germany. His parents and brother joined him a year later. As life in Italy became increasingly difficult for German refugees, he and his brother were sent to England where they remained separated from their parents for the duration of the war and beyond. In 1947 he crossed the Atlantic on a freighter and was eventually able to graduate from Southwestern University in Georgetown. He then enrolled in graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin, where he obtained his master's degree from the newly formed School of Social Work. What followed was a fulfilling career in social work with positions in Houston, Harlingen, Dallas and Denton.

Dieter and Fannie Belle Gaupp settled in Denton in 1964, where they were involved in numerous civic and cultural endeavors. Soon after arriving, they joined First United Methodist Church, where they lived their faith journey and established many close friendships.

Dieter lived modestly and gave generously. In keeping with his life of service, the family asks that donations in his memory be made to a charity of choice, in lieu of flowers.