John "Jack" Robert Dittman was born July 13, 1924, in Alhambra, Calif., to Cyril Red and Pauline Dittman. Shortly after birth his family moved to Bakersfield, Calif., where he spent most of his youth. When not in school, he was either working as a ranch hand or on a fire crew, or hiking the High Sierras with his brother, Bill, or lifelong friend, Charlie Owens. He loved the outdoors and all it had to offer.
Following high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and traveled the South Pacific during World War II. Upon discharge, his attended Oregon State University and graduated in 1950 with a degree in forestry. At Oregon State he also found his companion for life, Beverly.
His first jobs were back in California with the U.S. Forest Service on Hot Shot crews or in some other fire control capacity. John loved the image of the USFS and always spoke fondly of his time on the various ranger districts. So much so, that he and Bev spent many years following retirement opening the Schafer Meadows Ranger Station in late spring as volunteers.
As much as he loved the Forest Service, a need for independence moved him to the private sector. In 1953, he took a job with Leonard Lundgren Lumber Company in Bend, Ore. From there it was Martell, Calif., eventually ending up as part owner of a sawmill in Prince George, British Columbia. He had a real sense of adventure and never hesitated to make the big move.
Following retirement in 1974, they relocated to the Flathead Valley. Retirement was short, as he had an urge to work. Hiking, skiing, fishing and hunting were not enough. He consulted, appraised, collected, invested and just helped those that needed assistance.
When not working, which he found enough time to do, he and Bev traveled the world. Central and South America were his frequent and favorite destinations. He took pride in traveling economically and more or less wrote the book on foreign travel for less than $5 per day. He worked until shortly before his death.
Although he fought it hard, "final retirement came" on July 20, 2013.
He will be remembered as a loving husband, a wonderful and compassionate father, and a loyal friend to those that he was fortunate enough to meet.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Red and Pauline; and his brother, William "Bill" Dittman.
He is survived by his wife Leah, "Beverly," of 64 years, and children, Kris, David and wife Frances, Lisa, and Karen and husband Vince Quidachay; and grandchildren; Samantha, Jonathan, Chelsea, Kendi and Leah.
A celebration of life will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, at the pavilion at Vista Linda in Somers.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in his name to the Hospice Program c/o Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Dittman, please visit our flower store.
Following high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and traveled the South Pacific during World War II. Upon discharge, his attended Oregon State University and graduated in 1950 with a degree in forestry. At Oregon State he also found his companion for life, Beverly.
His first jobs were back in California with the U.S. Forest Service on Hot Shot crews or in some other fire control capacity. John loved the image of the USFS and always spoke fondly of his time on the various ranger districts. So much so, that he and Bev spent many years following retirement opening the Schafer Meadows Ranger Station in late spring as volunteers.
As much as he loved the Forest Service, a need for independence moved him to the private sector. In 1953, he took a job with Leonard Lundgren Lumber Company in Bend, Ore. From there it was Martell, Calif., eventually ending up as part owner of a sawmill in Prince George, British Columbia. He had a real sense of adventure and never hesitated to make the big move.
Following retirement in 1974, they relocated to the Flathead Valley. Retirement was short, as he had an urge to work. Hiking, skiing, fishing and hunting were not enough. He consulted, appraised, collected, invested and just helped those that needed assistance.
When not working, which he found enough time to do, he and Bev traveled the world. Central and South America were his frequent and favorite destinations. He took pride in traveling economically and more or less wrote the book on foreign travel for less than $5 per day. He worked until shortly before his death.
Although he fought it hard, "final retirement came" on July 20, 2013.
He will be remembered as a loving husband, a wonderful and compassionate father, and a loyal friend to those that he was fortunate enough to meet.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Red and Pauline; and his brother, William "Bill" Dittman.
He is survived by his wife Leah, "Beverly," of 64 years, and children, Kris, David and wife Frances, Lisa, and Karen and husband Vince Quidachay; and grandchildren; Samantha, Jonathan, Chelsea, Kendi and Leah.
A celebration of life will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, at the pavilion at Vista Linda in Somers.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in his name to the Hospice Program c/o Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation