Dietrich Leon "Coach" Heyer was born February 21, 1964, in Chicago. As a boy he spent years in Sierra Leone and Liberia where his parents, Jane Evelyn Heyer and Edward Leon Heyer were stationed as Christian missionaries. Throughout his life, Dietrich connected deeply to people and helped them excel. He attended Wheaton Christian College and later Southern Illinois University for graduate work, focusing on history and sports education. In 1992 he married Ernestine Julye and in 2000 they welcomed their son Garvey Leon Heyer into the world.
Early in his career, Deitrich worked in Chicago schools as a coach and history teacher, often giving athletes rides from one area to another to keep them safe from gun violence. In 2001 the family moved to Texas and settled in Coldspring. After his divorce Dieterich moved to Goodrich where he taught and coached at Goodrich Highschool. While at Goodrich, Dietrich started the school?s first extracurricular soccer and track program. After 12 years at Goodrich, Dietrich moved to Livingston Highschool where he was the head coach for Cross Country and assistant coach for Track and Soccer. He found his life meaning in teaching and coaching and took great pride in the many stories his students and athletes shared with him as they moved through their lives.
Dietrich died in his home at Goodrich on October 2, 2024. He is survived by his son Garvey Heyer, his sister Gretchen Heyer and her husband Robert Shoss, brother Paul Heyer and his wife Anne, and sister Heidi Cambel and her husband Gordon. Dietrich is also survived by a large circle of friends who have shared in his life's pains, learning and joys. We miss him so much, always and always.
There will be a memorial service and celebration of life for Dietrich at Livingston Highschool's Gymnasium on Saturday, December 7 followed by a light lunch in the cafeteria. All of those touched by Dietrich are invited.
If you would like to remember Dierich through a gift, please make a donation to the Livingston Counsel of Alcohol and Drug Abuse by reaching out to the organization's president, Shawnna Agate at (936) 933-6397.
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