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John Dietz Obituary
John Leslie Dietz was born May 4, 1938 to Marguerite Leone Holden Dietz and Cap Leslie Dietz at the Carothers Hospital in Broken Bow, Neb. He grew up on the Dietz family farm in the Custer Center Community between Broken Bow and Merna.
John went to Custer Center Evangelical United Brethren Church and was active in Custer Center Grange. After graduating from Broken Bow High School in 1956, he went to the University of Nebraska Lincoln where he completed a BA in three years.
John taught at Broken Bow Junior-Senior High School from 1959-1964 while managing the family farm so that his younger brother, Walter, could attend university. During the summers he attended Colorado State College in Greeley, Colo., where he obtained a MA in 1963.
In the fall of 1964, he enrolled in the Geography PhD program at Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y. In 1967, he accepted a faculty position in the Geography Department at Colorado State College (now University of Northern Colorado) in Greeley, Colo., where he remained until 2001 when he became Professor Emeritus.
While in Syracuse, John married Cornelia Roberts and they moved to Greeley, Colo., in 1967. Two daughters were born - Marguerite (Molly) and Leslie. The couple divorced in 1986.
In 1988 John married Corrine "Corki" Cummins, a teacher and seamstress. John became known for his many Corki-made vests reflecting various topics he taught and their RV adventures.
John was active in the Democratic Party, Kiwanis Club, UNC Emeritus Faculty Association, Weld County Public Employees Retirees Association and Friends of UNC Libraries.
He maintained connections with the Masonic Lodge and Custer County Historical Society in Broken Bow.
John is survived by his wife Corki Cummins-Dietz of Greeley, Colo.; his daughters Molly Pickett (Jamie) of Highlands Ranch, Colo. and Leslie Dietz (Kevin Farrell) of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; his grandchildren Emma Pickett and Nathan Pickett of Highlands Ranch; his brother Walter Dietz (Bobbe) of Broken Bow, Neb.; and four generations of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and three older sisters.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational Church in Greeley, Colo.
Memorial gifts may be made in John's memory to the Dietz-Cummins Scholarship Fund at the University of Northern Colorado at https://www.give2unc.org/thankyou. Direct your donation to Dietz-Cummins Scholarship.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Dietz
5 Entries
Bob Cole
September 12, 2023
John was a great cousin. We always enjoyed being with him when we were growing up in Broken Bow. He will be greatly missed.
Ann Sweenie Ver Linden
September 10, 2023
I am sorry for your loss. I met Professor Dietz a few times. My Dad, John Sweenie was a former history teacher of his from Broken Bow. My husband and I previously lived in Greeley. He will be well remembered.
Mary & Don Pitman
September 1, 2023
Sorry to hear of John's passing. We always enjoyed being with him whenever we were at family reunions of visiting him and his family. We were happy to have the family near us when we were growing up and the times out on the farm. He will be missed.
Leon Nelson
August 31, 2023
John was one of my sister Lois's grade school students when she taught at Custer Center, I think it was, not too far northwest of Broken Bow. Then he was one of my students when I was teaching at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Over the years I'd run into him once in a while. Always a pleasure and welcome reunion. He was a gentleman!
Rich Hinrichs
August 28, 2023
Dr.Dietz was the best teacher I ever had. He made his class so much fun and so full of knowledge. RIP Dr. Dietz
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