Robert W. “Dit” Ditmer, 92, of Port Royal, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2022, at his home in Tuscarora.
Born Nov. 28, 1929 in Mechanicsburg, he was a son of the late Rev. Robert L. and Maude M. (Adams) Ditmer. His wife of 65 years, K. Diane (Book) Ditmer, whom he married on Dec. 1, 1956, passed away on Feb. 1, 2022.
He is survived by three children, R. Robin Ditmer and wife, Debbie, of Port Royal, H. Ryan Ditmer of Boalsburg, and Deanne M. Van Bortel and husband, Richard J., of Beaufort, S.C., a nephew whom he raised as a son, Jerry Smith and wife, Cali, of Fort Worth, Texas, three grandchildren, Aaron Van Bortel and wife, Alexis, Devin Van Bortel, and Jesse Smith.
He was the last of his generation, having been preceded in death by one brother, Ralph Ditmer and one sister, Ruth “Sis” Kleckner.
He graduated from Tuscarora Valley High School in 1949.
He worked as a farmhand on the Book Farm from 1945 through 1953. He was drafted into the United States Army where he served from Nov. 16, 1953 to Nov. 15, 1955. He then drove truck for Breyer’s Creamery from 1956 through 1965, for Earl Wagner from 1965 through 1967, and for Roadway Express from 1967 through 1994, when he retired.
He attended Tuscarora Church of the Brethren and was a member of Turbett Grange #781.
He enjoyed hunting, the races, traveling, fishing, mowing grass, and going to auctions.
There will be a graveside memorial service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, at Old Church Hill Cemetery, Port Royal, with Pastor Joe Yorks officiating. Interment and committal services for Dit and his wife, Diane, will follow at the cemetery. There will be no viewing. If you wish to be seated for the service, please bring a chair.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tuscarora Church of the Brethren, c/o Karen Beasom, 1324 Town Ridge Road, McAlisterville, PA 17049.
Guss Funeral Home, Inc., 20 S. Third Street, Mifflintown, PA 17059, has care of the arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.gussfh.com.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 7/5/11 - Image Year: 1949
Robert Ditmer as he appeared in his 1949 TVHS Yearbook photo.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 5/27/17 - Image Year: 1949
TVHS CLASS of 1949: FRONT ROW (L-R): Joan Kepner, Erie Booher, Nellie Lyter(?), Gertrude Andrew, Sarah Wagner, Grace Ard, Nancy Telfer; BACK ROW: (Paul Smith (photographer) Glenn Bitting, Charles McCahan (head bowed), Ross Wagner, Kathryn Deen, Philip Bargo, Patsy Emery, Benjamin Gaul, Mary Lou Aumiller, Penn Purcell Shelley, Robert Ditmer, Harold Shields. (Photo submitted by Penn Purcell Shelley)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/2/19 - Image Year: 1964
LAST TRUCK FROM PORT ROYAL CREAMERY - Robert Ditmer is ready to drive the last load of Juniata County milk processed through the Port Royal Bryers Creamery. The milk will be hauled to Millerstown.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 1/24/20 - Image Year: 1989
40TH YEAR REUNION: Held at Stop 35, Mifflintown, Oct 23, 1989: (seated l-r) Nellie Lyter Shank, Patricia Emery Schindler, Mary Lou Bailor, Sally Wagner Fritz, Gertrude Andrew Rhodes; (standing l-r) Ross Wagner, Glenn Bitting, Kathryn Deen Ryan, Joan Kepner Helwig, Erie Booher Amtower, Walter B. Fairman, and Robert W. Ditmer) [Photo by Cathy Leach]
Contributed by rkohler3 on 8/1/11 - Image Year: 2008
TURBETT GRANGE LONGTIME MEMBERS: Among those receiving 50-year pins were (seated l-r) Diane Ditmer, Sandy McClure; (standing l-r) ?Buzz? McKarchey, Robert Ditmer, Jim McClure and Guy Towsey.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/21/18 - Image Year: 2018
EARLIEST CLASS ATTENDEES at Port Royal and Tuscarora Valley High School Reunion at the Port Royal Community Building, October 6, 2018. (Seated L-R: Jean (Shirk) Rohrbaugh, Class '46; Dorothy (Fettig) Towsey, Class of '46; Ben Towsey, Class '46; Standing L-R: Mildred (Fleck) Bashore, Class '48; Robert Ditmer, Class '49)(Photo from TIMES of Port Royal)
