Robert Theodore Dieterich

Robert Theodore Dieterich

Robert Theodore Dieterich, a Seattle architect for more than 40 years, died of a heart attack on May 28 near his home on Bainbridge Island. He was 73.

The eldest son of the late Herb and Anne Dieterich, Bob was born in Elgin, Illinois, and moved to Seattle as a child. He grew up in the Burien area, graduated from Highline High School, and married Sharon Gay Clark in 1960.

Bob earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and became a licensed architect in 1966. He began his career as a partner with Gardner, Styer and Dieterich and spent most of his professional life running a one-man practice specializing in retirement communities and continuing care facilities. He spent his last working years as the head of Dieterich Mithun, which was affiliated with Seattle's Mithun Partners.

Bob found great joy in his family. And he loved doing so many things: rowing, hiking, flying small planes, playing piano, painting, traveling in Italy and France, driving down the Oregon coast or up into the Cascades or Olympics. He was thoroughly a Northwesterner, most fully at peace on his sailboat on Puget Sound or with friends at his home on Eagle Harbor or hiking on Orcas Island with Sharon.

Bob is survived by Sharon, his wife of 52 years, daughter Elise and son Rob, brother Jim, sister Jean Ann, and their families. He has four wonderful grandchildren, Natalie, Alexander, Meena and Priya, and many, many friends.

A memorial gathering for all who knew Bob will be held June 3rd on Bainbridge Island. Details at cookfamilyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Amnesty International or the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.