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Remembering Dietrich Werner |
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| Friday, December 18th 2009 - 02:24:47 PM |
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Rosendale is known for its diverse and valuable natural resources. First among these was Dietrich Werner.
During the Town comprehensive planning process, Dietrich was always there, smoothing over disputes, keeping the group moving forward and infecting everyone with his sense of enthusiasm and optimism about Rosendale. He will be sorely missed. |
| Peter Fairweather |
| New Paltz NY USA |
| Tuesday, December 22nd 2009 - 09:57:35 PM |
| I have many fond memories of Dietrich and the great town of Rosendale. Dietrich was a wonderful friend and a person you could always count on. I worked for Dietrich as a secretary in his plumbing business and he was always a thoughtful and kind employer. My son, Greg spent many days playing with Dietrich's daughter, Althea. Those were great times that will remain with me always. My heart goes out to his wonderful wife Gayle, his children and the rest of his family. Although I haven't seen Dietrich and his family for years, I will never forget the great impression that they made on my life. Greg and I send our thoughts and prayers to Gayle, Anton, Althea and the rest of Dietrich's family. He was one of a kind. Much love to all of you. Love, Nancy and Greg |
| Nancy McMannus |
| Houlton ME USA |
| Sunday, December 27th 2009 - 07:57:40 AM |
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Please find attached videos i took on a visit to my father Jerry Wenzel. Dietrich and Gayle were working together at the pre-opening preparations of the Hudson-Fulton Exhibit in May of 2009.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr9t6rwj65k www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_KmwbeKgA8 www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBqaMPmWUmU www.youtube.com/watch?v=au3Jlk7Grwc |
| Ari Cliff Miller |
| Hollywood FL USA |
| Tuesday, December 29th 2009 - 04:54:22 PM |
| As a Historian of Ulster County, Dietrich will be missed by many. I have found information on his website which I have been interested in for many years. |
| Frederic Ross |
| Pensacola FL USA |
| Wednesday, December 30th 2009 - 10:14:32 AM |
| there was only one like him, and we were so blessed that he hung out around here! |
| Annie |
| Cottekill NY USA |
| Monday, January 4th 2010 - 12:50:54 PM |
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Unfortunately, I only knew Dietrich two years before his passing. But in those two years, I was fortunate to have spent many sundays crawling into mines with Dietrich. Looking back, I am so glad of the time we had back in September with Dietrich and Gayle at the barbeque, and also at the clean up. I will remember that.
Dietrich, Thanks for you hospitality, your knowledge, and mostly, your friendship. I miss you my Friend |
| Bob Mykytka |
| Succasunna NJ USA |
| Wednesday, January 6th 2010 - 04:50:53 PM |
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I can't believe Dietrich is gone. I thought he'd always be here, as part of Rosendale, as spokesman for Rosendale. It makes me sad that I won't encounter his warm face and positive energy at the post office or at the street festival again.
He was one of my family's first friends when we moved to Rosendale in 1972. I remember his presence while growing up. I remember him pulling me out of the Rondout Creek when I slipped in and started sinking when I was a small boy. I remember in the 70's he came by once with his motorcycle, and asked if he could hide it in the barn for a few weeks. He then shaved off his beard, and was clean-shaven-Dietrich for a number of months, presumably until the officers of the law he'd outrun forgot about him. Or at least that's how the tale goes. In fact, I think he's actually secretly taking a leave of absence right now. - Stefan |
| Stefan Lisowski |
| Rosendale NY USA |
| Thursday, January 7th 2010 - 11:49:03 AM |
| Dietrich, Dietrich, dearest friend. Your love set faster & stronger than natural cement. Your common sense smashed bushi like a hammer. Maybe in a thousand years, you once said, the old mine would eventually collapse, because "God abhors a vacuum." Your passing came too early, and left a hole in my heart many miles deep. Can't you hear me calling, where have you gone? I hear only echoes... |
| Robert E. Walters |
| Rosendale NY USA |
| Saturday, January 9th 2010 - 11:29:00 PM |
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I first met Dietrich when exploring the Snyder Estate and trails the first time just a few years ago.
I was amazed at his openness, friendliness, warmth and knowledge. One question would lead to an entire discussion of history of the estate and the town. Before I knew it, I was running late to get home, but was all the better for it.His passion for preservation and understanding the importance of local history was motivating. Everytime I ran into him there I learned something new and interesting. I really enjoyed our discussions and Dietrich himself. He helped to raise my interest in history of Rosendale. Now I have become more interested in living history and reenacting myself. I wish that I could have spent more time with him. But I guess we now all wish for that. If there's any way I can help carry the torch of history, I would be glad to help do that in his honor. |
| Rick Vanden Heuvel |
| Rosendale NY USA |
| Sunday, January 10th 2010 - 10:32:38 AM |
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Fare well, Dietrich! Thank you for all you've done to preserve the history of Rosendale for us all!
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| Joanne Steele |
| St. Remy NY USA |
| Saturday, January 16th 2010 - 04:35:41 PM |
| We will dearly miss our friend Dietrich. the Century House will not be the same. We were away when we found out that Dietrich had passed away & we couldn't believe it.He was a great help in our research in Genealogy. Our prayers goes out to the family. Dan & Helen Dugan ,Pouhgkeepsie NY |
| Dan &Helen Dugan |
| Poughkeepsie NY USA |
| Thursday, January 21st 2010 - 03:45:01 PM |
| I am privileged to say I was a freind of Dietrichs for 30 years and that friendship has been a great thing to have. A man who did things that turned out to be infleuntial on other people - like using a backhoe to break the ice up on main street when a pipe broke - on New Years Eve - when the new sewer work was being done because " if I don't do this someone will die" end establishing the Century House Historical Society - and helping it become viable - supporting the community of Rosendale and its resources - too many things- God bless him because his life blessed us. Always remembered and never forgotten - goodbye my friend -journey in peace Ron Weiss |
| Ron Weiss |
| Leland NC USA |
| Thursday, January 21st 2010 - 07:52:39 PM |
| With white beard, a red T-shirt, and black suspenders, Dietrich was laughing and chatting with people at Rosendale Pickle Festival. I only met him for a few times, but he welcomed me as if I was his long-time friend. When he and his friends had a raffle on the annual meeting of The Century House Historical Society, Dietrich bought his tickets and asked me to check if he won the gifts so that I could enjoy the activity for free. How would he respond if I served him the Japanese green tea at the Festival? I lost the opportunity forever. Dietrich was a very considerate man and I was going to learn many things from him more. Probably I will remember his kindness every Christmas because we had a Rosendale Santa Claus! |
| Junko Takayanagi |
| Nagasaki Japan |
| Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 01:54:09 PM |
| Dietrich was one of the faces of Rosendale...and even an internationally known personality when hosting Rosendale Cement Seminars. D was a person of incredible knowledge and the wisdom to want to share it with all. As a "newcomer" to Rosendale in 1991, he was one of the first people I met and I knew I moved to the right town. There will and can never be another like him. The mold was broken when he entered the world. One would never know if he was in pain or distressed as his smile and acknowledgment to his friends, even when driving in his car, was always there to welcome, if only a brief second. If he is missed by the residents and those who knew him, I cannot imagine his family and wife, Gayle. My heart goes out to them. Blessings, Rochelle |
| Rochelle |
| Rosendale NY USA |
| Saturday, January 23rd 2010 - 12:15:31 PM |
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Dietrich’s passing was a loss to the cave exploring community. On several occasions over the years he hosted our various meetings at the Snyder Estate and the Widow Jane Mine, and he participated! I speak for the National Speleological Society, the Northeastern Regional Organization and Grottos of the NSS, and the Northeastern Cave Conservancy when I say that he will be missed.
A donation has been made in his memory. Robert P. Addis, NCC President |
| The Northeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. |
| Schoharie NY USA |
| Sunday, January 24th 2010 - 11:46:25 AM |
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I was deeply moved by Dietrich Werner’s memorial, held in Rosendale on Saturday, Jan. 23. I never took the time to get to know him (to my great regret and personal loss), but I wrote the following as a tribute to his lasting memory:
I’ve always mocked the term “pillar of the community”— It was always used to describe the smug and self-satisfied; Bankers, lawyers, politicians, businessmen— Whose absence would never really be missed, Outside of a small circle of friends. But last week, when the Haitian earth moved and the cities shook, And the false pillars of the Presidential ‘Palace’ came tumbling down, A true Pillar of the Hudson Valley had already fallen out from under us, One whose strength, determination and quality cannot be replaced With base metals and structural steel. Dietrich’s roots went deep in the earth; into the caves Which gave up cement that formed the base Of bridges, statues and endless roads Which hold firm against the ages, and serve The tides of humanity which wash over them daily. A Serious Man, who never took himself too seriously; A Generous Man, who kept his generosity hidden; A Humble Man, who kept vanity and narcissism (The acids eating at the American soul) From turning his head from the Path ahead. A Stranger to our shores at birth, he came to live And thrive on the true American Dream; Not the plastic and tinsel, reality-show nightmare Which fuels the hedge-fund, Madoff vampires But Frank Capra’s vision of America the Beautiful. No Man Is An Island, the poet said, and Dietrich’s life was proof— His wife and partner Gayle shared his vision and helped build the dream; Lives rooted in the past, but building the present and preserving for the future, Creating precious memories, saving bodies and souls from the wolves Which gather daily at our doors; building community one Event at a time. What is the proper tribute for such a man? What meaningful way to show His life lent meaning and richness to our lives, showed that a life well-lived Leaves a legacy more valuable than the Robber Barons’ hoarded gold; How to pay back a dedicated life, devoted to others, endlessly giving, Asking for little, neither seeking nor getting recognition in life? Fond words and memories are fleeting; the past, well-remembered, is past— What remains is the Present and the Future, with choices to make and lives to live. Honor his memory through true dedication; emulation is the sincerest form indeed-- As flames flicker and burn in human hearts, unnoticed and unfelt, Let his Flame kindle a blaze in your life, and pass the Heat along. Together, we can bring Hope, Joy and Light to these cold and dark days, and keep the wolves from our collective doors! |
| Mark Rausher |
| Gardiner NY USA |
| Sunday, January 24th 2010 - 04:31:08 PM |
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I didn't ask for the mic at the heartwarming memorial yesterday simply because I'm not sure how to say this. But I want to try now.
It was never so much for me what Dietrich was talking about whenever we were conversing, it was more about his animated life spirit, so present and which oozed out of his pores. iow- No matter what he would say, he already had me when he SMILED. |
| Serpentessa |
| Rifton NY USA |
| Friday, January 29th 2010 - 06:36:36 AM |
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Haiku for Dietrich:
Picking up pieces a ton of bricks we built a palace of friendship. |
| Anonymous |
| Rosendale NY USA |
| Sunday, January 31st 2010 - 04:41:00 PM |
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I had the pleasure of working with Dietrich on "Concrete on Main Street" last May. His spirit and knowledge of Rosendale's past added so much to the day and I will miss him.
johnny poux |
| johnny poux |
| Rosendale NY USA |
| Thursday, July 15th 2010 - 01:45:50 PM |
| I was so sad to hear of Dietrichs passing. I knew him back in the 80's thru a mutual friend, Lany Sepulveda, who went to Beliz with him back when.. He was a good friend who helped me catagorize my daughters stamp collection. He would come over to my house in Poughkeepsie to work on them and in the meantime my daughter Lori would give him his haircuts in my back yard for his time helping. It was a good time for all and I have thought of him often. He will always be remembered.... |
| joyce starpoli |
| ft. worth tx USA |
| Monday, December 6th 2010 - 09:00:29 AM |
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Dietrich Werner was a treasure who loved to share his vast knowledge about the subject he loved so well. We have been enriched by his life and deeply saddened in his passing.
Nearly a year has gone by since his death but I often think about his great contributions to the history of Ulster County, New York State and the world and only wish that I could have said to him "thank you, friend!" |
| Karlyn Knaust Elia |
| Saugerties NY USA |
| Sunday, July 31st 2011 - 09:37:35 AM |
| Dietrich was the finest quality human being, who was interested in all good people without prejudice. A passionate Ulster County historian with interests in the cement industry, D&H Canal and Ulster County railroads, he amassed related information while at the Snyder Estate. He rose above petty local politics and bigotry. He should be remembered for his human qualities and achievements in history. |
| Stephen Marder |
| Gladwyne PA USA |