Michael Jackson Dietz

Michael Jackson Dietz, Sr., age 86, spent his life studying, learning, and doing, not limiting his curiosity to any one subject, but immersing himself into whatever caught his attention. As a child, he read constantly and became passionate about music. He often laughed about playing the piano at the Royal Gorge Buckhorn Bar, even though he was underage and was still in high school. Later, he earned the following degrees from the University of New Mexico: M.S. in Computer Science, B.S. in Mathematics, and B.S. in Economics.

Michael was born September 13, 1938 in Leadville, Colorado. Soon after his family moved to Canon City. Michael married Virgina Mae Greenwood, and in the 1960s, they moved from Colorado to New Mexico. Michael worked for various companies in Albuquerque as programmer, consultant, manager, and systems analyst. He joined the Masonic Lodge, belonged to several historical societies, had a passion for locomotives and all things railroad, became a member of Mensa. Later he joined the Albuquerque Genealogical Society, developing his talent for knocking down those brick walls hampering all genealogy researchers, planning their Veterans Appreciation day, and giving salient lectures. He donated his extensive and unique genealogy research books to the main-branch of the Albuquerque Library where they can be found on the second floor in the genealogy center. Michael's interest in all things science, and especially geology, prompted him to become a founding member for the yet-to-be-built NM Museum of Natural History and Science. He endured desert camping and tortuous hiking in the badlands during NM summers' heat while searching and excavating dinosaurs for the museum's collection. He also volunteered many hours working in their fossil preparation laboratory.

After Michael retired and his first wife passed, he and his second wife, Charlene Bell Dietz, built their retirement home in the foothills of the Manzano Mountains. He often could be found reading on the patio, surrounded by forest, watching deer, turkeys, and coyotes ambling by, giving him their regards. When the house filled with his children and grandchildren for Christmas and other occasions, his mischievous side appeared. He enjoyed having companions while watching his favorite television program, Sponge Bob. In his later, less active years, his quest for knowledge came from travel. Some of his trips were genealogy-lecture cruises and some focused on learning the game of bridge. However, the cruises including his children and grandchildren brought him the most joy, and he would be ready to sign up for more. He found the most interesting cruises were the smaller ships because they could go where large ships couldn't, such as up the Amazon River, around the Galapagos Islands, or exploring the North Sea islands of Scotland and around the UK.

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, surrounded by family, Michael peacefully departed on his final journey. His parents Victor Henry Dietz, of Lawrence, Kansas, and Marion Marguerite Jackson Dietz, of Portland, Oregon, his young sister, Elenore Dietz, and his first wife Virginia Greenwood Dietz preceded him in death.

He is survived by a brother, Vance H. Dietz, and a family who dearly love and miss him: wife, Charlene Bell Dietz; children, son, Michael J. Dietz II and wife, Katrinia Morris Dietz; and daughter, Michelle Dietz Connery and husband, Paul Connery; and his step-children, Karla Smith, Charles Eric Greth and wife, Tamii Abraham Greth, and Karl Douglas Greth and wife, Elizabeth Anonia; grandchildren, Haley Dietz, Michael Dietz III, Christine Harster, Charlie Harster, Jamie Weber and husband, Wayne Weber, Bernadette Connery, Brian Connery, Daniel Smith and wife, Kari Epperson Smith, Jarrod Greth, Gavin Greth, Emori Greth, Astrid Greth, and Theo Greth; great-grandchildren, Tia Schuttemeier, Braeden Magera, Mason Harster, Hadleigh Harster, Lainey Harster, Lillian Connery, Anna Smith, Emily Smith, and Ivy Smith.

At Michael's request there will be no service.

In lieu of flowers, please carry on the compassion Michael felt for those who struggle in life by donating to the highly rated, Puppies behind Bars. https://puppiesbehindbars.com/