My memories of Dieter started during the AO-10 and AO-13 "Heydays." Dieter was living in Fort Worth at the time and working at the Comanche Peak Nuclear Plant near here. He was a regular on the "birds," our Metroplex AMSAT Net, and the Sunday afternoon 20 Meter AMSAT Net. He was a regular communications volunteer at the Soviet Space Exhibit in Fort Worth in 1991. Over the years, he was a regular member of the staff at the AMSAT Booth in Dayton. He handled all duties, but in particular, software assistance. Since he was a native German speaker, he frequently did translations for our German speaking visitors and provided valuable assistance with the development and distribution of SatPC32. Dieter assisted the author of SatPC32, Eric Eichmann, DK1TB, with problem solving and translation. Of course he attended many of the annual AMSAT Space Symposiums all over the country.
Probably my favorite memory involved many others and Dieter's first visit to the AMSAT-UK Colloquium in 2004. Dieter and I had been discussing this on the 20 Meter AMSAT Net for some time and decided to meet in Edinburgh, Scotland, for a few days prior to the Colloquium. Dieter had been having regular QSOs with Ricky, GM1PLY, via IRLP, in Edinburgh, and I had never been to Scotland. Dieter and Ricky worked out the details. Ricky took us to a meeting of the Cockenzie & Port Seaton ARC to meet "the gang" and we had a very enjoyable evening along with continued communications since then. We then rode the "Flying Scotsman" train to London and on to the AMSAT-UK Colloquium. At the conclusion of the meeting, we went our separate ways; Dieter, on to Germany for a family visit, and me back to the US. Dieter also provided me with travel suggestions for a visit I made to South Africa on another trip.
Dieter was an excellent example of the ideal contributor to our marvelous hobby. He constantly provided positive ideas and assistance for every phase of the AMSAT and ARISS efforts. Never complaining and always jumping in and doing what he suggested - not saying "why don't you do this." He will be truly missed by everyone and deserves a special place in Amateur Radio Heaven.
73 - Keith, W5IU