Eugene A. (Gene) Dietert was born August 6, 1929, in Geronimo, Texas, to Eugene Carl Dietert and Wallie (Borchert) Dietert. He attended elementary school at Navarro and graduated from New Braunfels High School. Gene met his future wife, Betty Wetz, in 1945 at a Landa Park dance. They were married for 63 years, until Betty's death in 2011. He passed away on August 8, 2015, at the age of 86.
Beginning in the Ford business in New Braunfels at age 16, he worked into ownership of the Ford-Mercury dealership (Seguin Motor Company) in Seguin. He and his son, Barry, own Red Carpet Auto Sales.
Gene's extensive civic involvement began in New Braunfels, serving as president of the local JayCees and as vice president of the Texas JayCees. Later civic activities included being president of the Seguin Chamber of Commerce, president of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association and serving with Lee Iacocca on the board of the National Ford Dealer Council of the Ford Motor Company. For many years Gene and Betty enjoyed being ambassadors of the Seguin Chamber of Commerce. In 2004, they were named Citizens of the Year, as well as SISD Mentors of the Year. He served in recent years on the boards of the Seguin Library, The Red Barn, the Pecan Museum, and Rotary. His presence will be missed at Cross Church where he served in every possible capacity and position, since 1959, the year of the move to Seguin. He especially loved singing in the choir with his excellent bass voice.
In an interview, Gene told the Seguin Gazette, "I don't hunt, I don't fish, I don't golf. My hobby is my civic work and that's where I spend my time."
Known as Mr. Rotary, Gene lived the Four-Way Test. A member of the Seguin Noon Rotary Club for over 50 years with perfect attendance, he attended Rotary International Conventions in the United States, Europe, Australia, the Far East, and Central America. He was a District Governor (90-91), chaired the District Rotary Foundation, a member of the 2001 International Convention Steering Committee, and held numerous other positions. The Dieterts hosted several foreign exchange students who still remain in contact. Gene received the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service Award and the Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award. Gene and Betty were both Paul Harris Fellows.
Gene was preceded in death by Betty and his parents; brother, Leroy Dietert; sisters, Shirley Mueller and Frieda Lenz; brother-in-law, Floyd Mueller; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Willie LH Schlueter, and brother-in-law, Ferman Wetz and sister-in-law, Sally Wetz.
He is survived by his wife of three years, Sharon Steinberg Dietert, daughter, Jenness, and husband Jody Gilles of Midland and son, Barry, and wife Kim of Cibolo. As "Opie," he was very proud of his grandchildren: Joshua Dietert of Austin; Leanna Gilles of Fort Worth; Ryan Dietert, M.D. and wife Nikki of Houston; David Gilles and wife Laura of Denver; Rachel Dietert Witek and husband Adam of New Braunfels; Abby Dietert of San Antonio and fiancé, James Moon; and his great grandson, Hudson Witek. Gene is also survived by brother, Darvin Dietert, and wife Jeanette, brother-in-law, Glennvood Lenz, and stepsons, Major Noah Steinberg, U.S. Army, and wife Michelle, and children, Rachel and Adam, and Josh Steinberg and wife Amy and children, Harper and Knoll. Gene is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Services will be held at Cross Church, 814 Bauer Street, Seguin, on Saturday, August 15, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Jim Price officiating, following a private burial. A reception will follow at the Texas Theater. Visitation will be Friday, August 14, from 2-7 pm at Tres Hewell Mortuary. The family will receive friends and family on Friday, August 14, from 5-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cross Church, 814 Bauer, Seguin, TX 78155, Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center (The Red Barn), 390 Cordova Road, Seguin, TX 78155, the Seguin Noon Rotary Club,P.O. Box 205, Seguin, TX 78156, the Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60693, or the charitable organization of your choice.