The Reverend Canon Hermann Dittrich
Obituary
Hermann Franz Dittrich of Fort Vermilion, Alberta, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, and shepherd, made his final journey to his eternal home on September 14, 2026, at the age of 86, after a three-year battle with dementia.
He is survived by his wife and partner of almost 50 years, Erika Dittrich; his children, Melissa Dittrich and her children Zahava and Ari, and Aaron (Elizabeth) Dittrich and his children Linus and Julius.
He is also survived by his step-sons, Robert Kyler and Gordon (Laurelle) Kyler; his brother Arnold; and his sister Felicita. He leaves behind many stepgrandchildren whom he loved as his own, as well as many nieces and nephews throughout Germany and Poland who cherished him deeply.
He was predeceased by his step-daughter, Caroline Fontaine, and his siblings Bernard, Anton, Karl, Klaus, Reimond, Peter, and Irmgard.
Hermann was born on November 18, 1939 in Friedrichshütte, Germany (now Tarnowskie Góry, Poland) during the early days of World War II. While his native tongue was German, he completed his schooling in Polish, graduating from high school in 1957. Having felt a calling to the ministry from an early age, he studied at a seminary in Krakow, Poland, and was ordained in 1963.
He ministered in Katowice, Poland for 10 years. During this time he felt called to the mission field and tried unsuccessfully for many years to obtain a passport to leave Poland, which, at the time, was under strict Communist rule. His stubborn streak already well developed, after numerous rejections he made a personal visit to the passport office in Warsaw and demanded a resolution. His passport was authorized and he departed for the missions of Mkushi, Zambia in 1973.
After five years serving the people of Mkushi and learning the local Bemba dialect, in 1978 he fulfilled his dream of coming to Canada, settling in the interior of British Columbia. It was there that Hermann met Erika.
After a few years of working as a youth counsellor, he returned to parish ministry in 1986, serving in Smithers, Terrace, and the north coast islands of British Columbia until 1989. During these years he loved to spend his free time mountain climbing, canoeing and capturing the beauty of nature through photography.
In 1989 Hermann and family relocated to Fort Vermilion, Alberta, where he served the community as rector of St. Luke's Anglican Church faithfully throughout his remaining years, well past his retirement. During this time he loved to canoe the Peace River, amass his ever-increasing arsenal of firewood and tinker in his workshop. He served others not only through his pastoral work and his listening ear, but also quietly through his practical gifts, becoming well-known as the town handyman.
He will be remembered for his kindness, playfulness, humour, precision, determination, and for his stories both true and embellished. His memory will live on through his legacy of helping others, his love of his family and friends, and his service to his Lord and Saviour.