Dan Frederick Dietz, 79, of Warrensburg, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, March 16.

Dan was born on April 20, 1944, to Fred and June (Hewitt) Dietz in St. Petersburg, Florida. At the end of WWII, the family relocated to DeSoto, Missouri, where Dan worked and played on the farm with his brothers. He especially loved riding his dapple-gray horse, Ginger.

After graduating from DeSoto High School in 1962, he went on to study Electrical Engineering at The University of Missouri at Rolla. Dan was deeply patriotic, so he volunteered to serve in the Army National Guard, serving for a total of 6 years. During that time, he formed multiple lifelong friendships that carried him through tough times.

After serving his country, he returned home to begin a nearly 40-year career in Telecommunications as a Database Programmer, eventually relocating to the Kansas City, Missouri area. He was self-taught and excelled at communications and computer technology.

Dan met his lifelong friend and wife Susan (D eRousse) as children in the Festus and Crystal City areas. Their families frequently spent time together camping and water-skiing whenever possible.  Dan and Susan went on to have 2 children, Dan Dietz, Jr. and Laura Schaumberg.

Dan spent as much time as possible with his children and grandchildren, teaching them auto repair, computer technology, how to play guitar, and telling his infamous "Dad Jokes". He coached his kids' sports teams, and helped with Marching Band. He attended as many school concerts, scouting and sports events as possible. He was always the loudest cheerleader in the room. Even as the kids grew into adults, he was always available to lend a hand or give a word of advice.

Once Dan retired, he spent his time playing guitar, singing Country and Western music, and writing hundreds of songs chronicling his family and life. He loved getting together with friends to have 'jam sessions' or playing music 'gigs' at various functions through the years. He loved working with computers and frequently created unique databases or even building computers. He was an avid reader and loved to work outdoors, landscaping his beautiful yard. Dan and Susan relocated to Warrensburg to be near their youngest grandchildren.

Dan enjoyed spending time with his best friend and brother-in-law Larry and his wife Doris (Steen) DeRousse, on their farm in Arkansas. Larry and Doris were close companions of Dan and Susan throughout the years, sharing laughter and an abundance of memories.

Dan was predeceased by his father, Fred Dietz, and his mother June (Hewitt) Dietz. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his son, Dan Jr; his daughter, Laura; and 5 grandsons: Benjamin, Ryan, August, David and George. He is also survived by his brother Douglas and his wife Kathi of St. Peter, Missouri, and his brother David and his wife Beverly of Niceville, Florida. Dan deeply loved the Lord and served Him through his generosity to others, his time and talents. His family was his legacy and greatest treasure.

As per Dan's wishes, there will not be a Memorial Service. Instead, he asked that his friends and family remember the good times and tell stories about him with each other. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Ascend Hospice, an organization that showed incredible compassion and care for Dan and his family in the difficult time of his transition.  783 NE Anderson Lane, Lee's Summit, MO 64064.

1 Corinthians 15:42-43

42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. 43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.