Dr. Bruce DVM
June 26, 1951 ~ March 27, 2009
Dr. Bruce Edwin Dietrich DVM, age 57 of Charles City, Iowa died Friday, March 27, 2009, at his home of Renal Cell Carcinoma.
A Memorial Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2009, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Charles City, with Rev. Carl Ries and Msgr. Stanley Hayek celebrating the Mass.
Inurnment will be in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Dyersville at a later date.
Friends may greet the family an hour prior to the Mass at church on Tuesday.
Dr. Bruce Edward Dietrich DVM, was born June 26, 1951, in Patterson, NJ, the son of Edwin and Jane (Murray) Dietrich. He was a 1969 graduate of the Manchester Regional High School in Haledon, New Jersey. Bruce then attended Iowa State University, graduating with a BS in 1973 and receiving his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree in 1978.
On September 22, 1979, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, IA, he married Deborah L. Eike Dietrich DVM. To this union, a daughter, Deborah Emily was born. The couple practiced veterinary medicine for several years in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and in 1980 purchased land in Charles City and opened the Cedar River Animal Hospital. Bruce also founded Cedar River Laboratories, a company that manufactures animal cages designed by him. Bruce was an inventor, having ideas develop into two products being issued U.S. patents.
He was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, the finance committee at Immaculate Conception Church, the Floyd County Board of Health and had served on the Charles City Arts Council. Bruce enjoyed bicycling, sailing, photography, coaching basketball at I.C. School, going to the beach every summer and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Survivors include his wife, Deborah; one daughter, Deborah Emily Dietrich of Iowa City; his parents, Edwin and Jane Dietrich of Tuscon, AZ; a brother, Steven (Renee) Dietrich of Driggs, ID and his mother-in-law, Darlene Eike of Dyersville, IA.
He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Leo Eike.
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Deb, I was very sorry to hear that Bruce had passed away. I will always remember him from our vet school days. Dale Miskimins DVM
Hi, Deb, This comes from many years ago when I worked with you and Bruce with my cattery showing national competition for a short while. I am truly sorry to hear this news. You will be in my thoughts.
Deb, I was so sorry to read in the Press that your husband passed away. Please know that I am thinking about you and your daughter and I want to express my sincere sympathy to all of your family. If you ever want or need to talk, please feel free to call or e-mail me.
Deb and Debbie Our deepest sympathy goes out to you. Bruce was a wonderful person and he and you will be remembered in our prayers. Looking at the video brings back memories of a past time. Ed and Connie
My deepest sympathy to Dr. Dietrich’s family. I remember just how kind and wonderful he was with my animals. Mindy
sorry to hear of recent loss. Bruce will always be remembered in my heart as one great basketball coach for IC school. i remember all those tough-man competions we would have and the winner wears the special jersey. he will be dearly missed.
Deb & Debbie, I was so sorry to hear about Bruce’s death….although we haven’t seen your family for awhile your mom always shared your news! Hopefully memories of your wonderful times will bring you comfort at this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers, Julie & Regis
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Even though it’s been a good number of years since I saw Bruce, I was very touched by the tribute. May God bless you and your family.
Bruce and I go back to our early days at Iowa State. We have known each other since then, and I always looked forward to seeing him at a veterinary meeting. Bruce was a great and caring guy. His family has my deepest sympathy.
Dearest Deborah, An old high school friend emailed me today that Bruce had died. You have our deepest sympathy. Larry and I will never forget your hospitality and the wonderful storeis you told of building and rebuilding your house. It has always been one of my very favorite FLW houses. It saddened us greatly when we heard of the flood in 2008. Larry called Bruce shortly after that, and he was amazed that Bruce could joke about the flood. I know it must have been very difficult for both of you to once again have your home flooded. He said you were in the process of moving into a house in Charles City. He mentioned his cancer and on going treatment. Just two weeks ago, when my sister was visiting us, we were searching for family reunion pictures and I came across some of the photos we took of your house. If you would like copies, I would love to send them to you. My email is norma@suretacksystems. com. I also have a copy of the CD that I made for you and Bruce. The online memorial video was beautiful. What a great liife you shared. With our deepest sympathy, Norma and Larry Crist
Time and distance can never erase the blood ties. Rest in peace, cousin. God bless you and your family. Darleen (Dietrich) Primamore and husband Robert
Deborah, I’m truly sorry. Bruce was a person who understood reality, and was not fooled by appearances, positions or titles. I played againest Bruce in the vicious YMCA men’s basketball league years ago-I remember his sharp elbows and competitive spirit. He is missed. Neil
Please accept our Deepest Sympathy and Condolences for your loss. Henry kept us informed during Bruce’s battle with the cancer. Your family has been in our prayers. Doris and Bob Opthof
Deb & Debbie, My heartfelt sympathies go out to you both. The care and compassion Bruce showed for our dogs will never be forgotten. I always had so much fun with Bruce when visiting the office and I’ll dearly miss his great sense of humor. He was so pleased with the Therapy Dog work our Chase does and always expressed interest in the activities of all our dogs. Bruce was a wonderful man who will be greatly missed. I will continue to keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.
Deborah and Debbie, My sincere sympathy to both of you on the loss of your husband and father. You are in my thoughts and prayers. My current 3rd graders prayed for you in religion class today. May God keep you in His care these days and in the days to come. Mrs. Schmitz
We were so sorry to hear of Dr Dietrich’s death. He treated our cats and we always appreciated his effort and his concern for our one cat Ebony. He did his best to save her but she died. He and his staff were so kind and compassionate – we will never forget that.
Our deepest sympathy to the Dietrich family. Bruce was always so good to us and our pets. He will be very much missed.
We would like to express our sympathy to Dr. Bruce’s family. Our little doggies will miss him and we would like to express a ‘thank- you’ for the special care he gave to our babies!
What a wonderful man–he will be missed! Bruce touched so many people and mentored kids through the years. We still remember him coaching our kids at IC school. We are so very sorry. Our prayers are with you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. The world has lost someone very special.
Our condolences, It was a joy and pleasure to have known and gone to school with Bruce.
You have my deepest sympathy, prayers, and support! Many blessings!
Deepest sympathies go out to your family.