George H. Dieter

Ledyard - George H. Dieter, 91, of Bluff Road, Gales Ferry, passed away peacefully of natural causes Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, with his daughter and friends at his side.

George was born on Aug. 12, 1921, in Mystic, the son of Nellie (Menge) Dieter and George William Dieter. He married his wife, Ruth (Johnson) Dieter, on Aug. 22, 1941. They moved to his lifelong home in Gales Ferry in 1951.

George retired from the State of Connecticut after 35 years, where he worked as a civil engineer. His last big project was the building of the New London Bridge in the 1970's. George also had established his own land surveying business in 1981 and surveyed numerous sub divisions in Ledyard and many towns throughout Eastern CT. His business is still in existence today as Dieter and Gardiner in Gales Ferry.

George was a member of many organizations during his life including the Masons, the Shriners, the Ledyard Lions, and the Tukerbung, where he was the oldest surviving member to name just a few. He was also very instrumental in the rebuilding of the Ledyard Senior Center, where the main room is named the George H. Dieter meeting room. He remained the chairman of the Senior Council for the past 20 years, retiring just last fall.

He also served on numerous town committees such as the Ledyard High School Building Committee and the Zoning Commission.

George in recent years joined Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Gales Ferry, where he quickly became a valued member of the Knights of Columbus.

George is survived by his son, George Dieter Jr. and his wife, Mary, of Walpole, Mass.; a daughter, Gail Dieter and her lifelong companion, Mark Zuchero, of Willmington, Vt. He also has three granddaughters, Kristin and Jeff Skilton of Colorado, Kathryn and Sean Geary, and Stephanie and Erik Koenig all of Massachusetts. He also has six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Ernestine Lenkiewicz of Norwich; and his beloved kitty "Bucca".

Calling hours will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the Church and Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem St, Norwich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m Saturday, June 15, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Gales Ferry, followed by internment at the Gales Ferry Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Knights of Columbus c/o Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Gales Ferry.

Please visit www.churchandallen.com to leave an online condolence for the Dieter family.