Dietrich Alfred Bertold Kodrack, 81, of Crawfordsville, succumbed to a short battle with thyroid cancer, Tuesday, October 3, 2017 in Franciscan Health St. E. East Hospital, Lafayette. He was born January 27, 1936 to Paul and Charlotte Kodrack in Berlin, Germany. Dietrich was raised in war-torn East Germany. He was fortunate to have escaped shortly after the Berlin wall was erected. As a young man he traveled Western Europe on his motorcycle and picked up bits of many languages and cultures. He started a family in West Germany with Margarete (Piepenstock) Kodrack in 1964. He moved the family to Detroit Michigan in late 1968 to take part in the "American Dream". Most of his working life in the U.S. was in the automotive industry in Southeast Michigan. Dietrich set an example by his his outstanding work-ethic, and was extremely proud of his children that followed his example. He loved the outdoors and retired to run a resort in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a short time. He found new love late in life and married Norma (Funk) Kodrack. To his grandchildren he was a devoted and loving 'Opa' who cherished the time he spent with them.
Dietrich is survived by his children Michael, Petra, Kirstin, Frank; grandchildren Jessica, Daniella, Dawn, Tessa, and Logan; and great-grandchild Roanin. He was grateful to travel back to Germany earlier this year with his grandson before he became ill. He will be missed by the family he left in Germany: his brother Peter, his sister Ingrid, niece Christine, nephew Ronny and great-nieces Saskia and Monique.
His family and close friends will gather privately to celebrate his life and in keeping with his wishes, will later scatter his ashes in Pacific Ocean. Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate is assisting his family with arrangements. Visit us at www.familyandfriends fh.com to share a memory or leave a condolence.