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Hal C. Dietz, 94 of Montpelier, passed away Monday, September 16, 2019 at Evergreen Manor Nursing Home in Montpelier.
Hal was born January 31, 1925 in Pioneer, OH to Leland A. and Aletha D. (Chapman) Dietz. Hal married his wife Sandra K. Parnham on May 23,1959 in Montpelier.
He was a 1943 graduate of Montpelier High School and attended Bowling Green State University and Tri-State University.
In 1943 while being given a physical for the military and hoping to become a pilot, it was discovered Hal had a vision anomaly. He saw certain colors in different hues. That gave him the ability to see and pick out camouflage. Because of his problem with seeing true colors, he could not fly as a member of the military.
Hal was taken aside and told a project was being developed and would require pilots with his vision anomaly. He was offered the opportunity to be part of the project, but he would be flying as a civilian for the military. He accepted and was later sent for pilot training.
In 1944 during the weeks leading up to the D-Day invasion, Hal flew a camera-equipped P-51 Mustang from England into northern France locating, photographing and mapping the locations of German camouflaged areas as potential targets.
His love of flying continued through the years, owning a BT-13 and an AT-6.
Hal was employed by Hause Valve Co./Hause Machines, Inc. for 46 years. Over the years he held several positions, retiring in 1996.
He was a golfer and a bowler. He enjoyed building and flying RC model planes. For several summers, he volunteered at the Jamie Farr LPGA golf tournament in Toledo. He had been a pee wee and little league baseball coach for the Eagles. What Hal enjoyed most was being “Dad”.
Surviving are his wife, Sandy; daughter, Stephanie ( Bruce) Shook of Bryan and sons, Jim Dietz and Eddie Dietz both of Montpelier; grandchildren, Cody Dietz of Montpelier, Ethan (Alicia) Shook of Bryan and Haley (Ty) Eichman of Ault, CO.
Hal was preceded in death by parents, a daughter Tricia Ann at age two and his brother and sister in-law, Richard and Pat Dietz.
To honor Hal’s wishes, there will be no visitation or service.
Memorials may be made to the Williams County Veterans Memorial or Williams County Humane Society.