Dietrich Malolepszy

Dietrich B. Malolepszy
August 11, 1925 – November 8, 2014


Loving husband of the late Elisabeth Malolepszy, devoted & loving father to Michael Malolepszy, Bettina (Clyde) Woolbright and Carolyn McCosh, Father in law to Lynnea Magnuson. Loving grandfather to Heather, Ryan, and John Woolbright. Brother to Guenther and the late Helga Kelly. Brother-in-law to Inge Malolepszy, the late Donald Kelly, and Anke and Willie Kreischer. Uncle to to Uwe, Thomas and Heike Malolepszy and Thomas Kelly.

Dietrich cherished friendships with many people including Erwin and Jutta Strohmeier, Rudolf and Gisela Kembitzky, Giovanni and Irmy Freguia, the late Richard Ginsburg and so many other special people that he and Elisabeth befriended in the United States and in Germany.

Born in Stettin (now Szczecin, Poland) in 1925 Dietrich was one of three children born to Richard Karstaedt and Elli Malolepszy. Trained as a machinist and having a strong interest in aviation, he flew gliders before and after World War II and helped establish a soaring club after the war in Biberach an der Riss, Germany. There he met Elisabeth whom he married in 1957. They left Germany in 1959 for Montreal with baby Michael and then settled in St. Louis, Missouri in 1960 where their two daughters were born. He worked as a tool room machinist until his retirement. A Red Cross volunteer and PTA president, he cared for his community and those less fortunate than himself.

Dietrich and Elisabeth established a home in the Dogtown neighborhood in 1963, never realizing what a wonderful location they had found in which to raise their family. They enjoyed living next to Forest Park and the small-town feel of Dogtown, raising a son and two daughters there. It was not unusual for them to spend time entertaining neighbors on the front porch. Dietrich and Elisabeth lived a wonderful fun filled life while raising a family, always finding time for family vacations and travel to Germany, Argentina, Italy, much of Europe and most of the United States over the years.

Always fair and friendly to strangers, he worked hard to support his family but also enjoyed relaxing (and making others relax) during time off. His family, friends and neighbors will miss his easy laugh and the twinkle in his eyes.

The family will be receiving friends at Seamus McDaniels on Saturday, November 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. Please join us in a Celebration of Life for Dietrich. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association and will be greatly appreciated.

 

6 Comments

  1. Janet Beasley on November 12, 2014 at 12:26 am

    So sorry for your loss Bettina. Its one thing to lose 1 parent but now that they are both gone it is a whole new level of loss. Great comfort can be taken know that they are not only together again but they are in the presence of God and it doesn’t get any better than that.
    God Bless you and your family



  2. Heike+Sandor on November 13, 2014 at 2:10 am

    Euer Dad und mein Onkel hat viele Spuren seines Lebens,Gedanken,Bilder,Augenblicke hinterlassen. Wir werden uns an Ihn mit Freude erinnern und Ihn nie vergessen.
    Am Ende einer jeden Reise steht die dankbare Heimkehr.
    Unsere aufrichtige Anteilnahme. Wir sind in Gedanken bei euch und eurer Familie



  3. Diane (Birtley) Langer-Schwartz on November 13, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    Dear Bettina and family,
    This is such a loving tribute to your father and it seems very appropriate to focus on the love and lives he touched, including you and your siblings.

    I hope the love, support, memories and the time you had with him stays in your heart where he and your mother will always be. Let it bring peace and comfort to you now.

    Love & Peace to each of you.



  4. Tammi Nesser on November 17, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    Carolyn, Bettina & Mike–
    I am so sorry for your loss.
    Your parents took me in as one of their own, and for that I will always remember & appreciate them both.
    So many fond memories.



  5. GERRY ROHDE on November 21, 2014 at 9:07 am

    EIN RARER MANN

    TUT MIR ECHT LEID FUER EUCH, LEUTE



  6. Ted Reedy on November 22, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    Michael, Bettina and Carolyn. So sorry to hear about Fritz. I will always have very fond memories of sharing a cocktail with or a walk through the zoo with your Dad. He was a great soul.
    Ted Reedy



Leave a Comment