Charles John Dittrich III

1946 - 2023

Charles John Dittrich III
Charles John Dittrich of New Milford, Connecticut passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on July 8, 2023, after a long struggle with complex illnesses.
Charlie, born to Genevieve and Charles Dittrich on November 19, 1946, grew up in the Bronx, NY, and Danbury, CT. He met the love of his life, Carolyn, in the fall of 1967 and they married less than a year later. Together for nearly 55 years as husband and wife, Charlie and Carolyn devoted their lives to the upbringing of their two children and later enjoyed every moment spent with their four grandchildren. For many of his years, Charlie found beloved companionship with dachshunds, especially Rudy, his favorite.
Charlie graduated as a mechanical and electrical designer from Henry Abbott Technical School in 1964. During his life he worked in the defense and medical industries, completing projects and assemblies for x-ray units and ultrasonic testing devices, the Hubble Space Telescope, the ANVAR Laser Detection Unit, the Seawolf submarine, the Navy Nuclear Instrumentation Division, air-flow control systems, and complex medical imaging and power systems, the last from inception to market.
In his free time, Charlie cultivated a deep passion for cars and automotive racing. He drag raced a 1966 Chevelle competitively and was a vibrant member of the old Danbury dirt track racing scene. He had a lifelong affection for NASCAR, attending dozens of events with friends and introducing a love for the sport in his children.
Beyond racing, Charlie spent decades hunting for the perfect game as a bowler. Coming close numerous times, Charlie bowled competitively for more than thirty years. He enjoyed more than twenty of those as treasurer for the Bertilson League at Brookfield Lanes. He encouraged this passion in his sons, both of whom bowled competitively for at least a little while.
Charlie is survived by his wife, Carolyn; two sons and their spouses, Charley and Jillian Dittrich and Christopher and Melissa Dittrich; and four grandchildren, Kai, Aurelia, Lena, and Vienna.
Charlie was preceded in death by his mother Genevieve and his father Charles, as well as numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles.
The family would like to thank all of the family, friends, and special caregivers that helped them through this most difficult time.
A funeral mass for Charlie will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in New Milford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, 3925 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.