BIOGRAPHY
February 22, 1857
Born in Pittsburgh, PA to Jacob and Johanna (Roenigk), Dietrich was the oldest of six children.
Dietrich graduated from Duff’s College and attended the Western College of Pennsylvania (University of Pittsburgh). His architectural training was at the firm Drum and Kuhn.
1881-1882
Dietrich began his own practice in Brooklyn, New York.
1882
He returned to Pittsburgh and was a draftsman in the office of James T. Steen.
1883
Dietrich partnered with Charles M. Bartberger establishing the firm of Bartberger and Dietrich.
1884
He married Eliza Estelle Melhorn. The family would grow to include six sons.
1886
Dietrich moved back to New York City. Over the years he partnered with several architects including A. M. Stuckert, Manly Cutter, Henry LaPointe, Arthur H. Smith and Julius Diemer.
1891
Dietrich built his own home “Sandonona” at Bensonhurst-by-the-Sea (Brooklyn), New York.
1899
He was elected to the Brooklyn Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
1903
Dietrich collaborated with Gustav Stickley to design the first “Craftsman House”.
1914
His son Emerson met an untimely death involving a love-triangle and a lion.
1921
Dietrich was elected to the national American Institute of Architects and the Fine Arts Federation.
April 20, 1924
Eliza Estelle Dietrich died.
December 24, 1924
Dietrich suffered a fatal heart attack waiting for the Long Island Rail Road at the Freeport, NY train station near his home.
“This brief outline of his career will perhaps mean little to those without knowledge of his personal qualities. He was a man of sterling character, kind, considerate, always a gentleman, ready to render service and to give advice to anyone who asked, and to work for a worthy cause. In brief, to know him was to love him, and his passing was a grief to his many friends who held him in their highest esteem.”