View source for Rempel, Dietrich "Dick" (1935-2023)

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[[File:Rempel, Dietrich and Dorothy.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Dietrich "Dick" and Dorothy Rempel'']]
Dietrich "Dick" F. Rempel: teacher, pastor, conference leader; born in Osterwick, [[Chortitza Mennonite Settlement (Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Chortitza Mennonite Settlement]], Ukraine on 11 April 1935 to Franz Rempel (2 January 1905, Osterwick, Chortitza, South Russia – 13 July 1986, [[Chilliwack (British Columbia, Canada)|Chilliwack]], British Columbia, Canada) and Helena (Klassen) Rempel (20 October 1907, Vasilyevka, Naumenko, South Russia – 28 June 2008, [[Abbotsford (British Columbia, Canada)|Abbotsford]], British Columbia). He was the third of seven children. On 14 June 1957 Dietrich married Dorothy Anna Bergman (29 November 1937, Dundurn, [[Saskatchewan (Canada)|Saskatchewan]], Canada – 23 August 2022, Delta, British Columbia), daughter of Heinrich Bergmann (1899-1980) and Margaret (Friesen) Bergmann (1904-1984) in [[Eden Mennonite Church (Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada)|Eden Mennonite Church]] in Chilliwack, British Columbia (BC). They had four children, one of whom, Ken, tragically died in mountain climbing accident in 1980. Dick died on 15 May 2023 in Abbotsford, BC.

The Rempel family was evacuated with a retreating German army from [[Ukraine]] in 1943 and arrived in war-ravaged Germany in January 1945. In the chaos of [[World War (1939-1945) - Germany|World War II]], Dietrich’s father survived 3 months incarceration in the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. After the war, the family immigrated to [[Canada]], sailing on the S.S. Samaria. They docked in Quebec City, Quebec, on 10 July 1949. Soon after the Rempels arrived in the [[Fraser Valley (British Columbia, Canada)|Fraser Valley]] just in time for the annual raspberry and hop picking rituals.

Dietrich completed high school in Chilliwack, BC, and then went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of British Columbia. After ten years of teaching in the province, Dietrich felt called to ministry. In preparation, he earned his Bachelor of Divinity (1965) and Master of Divinity (1967) degrees at the [[Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Indiana, USA)|Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary]] in Elkhart, Indiana.  

Rempel was baptised in the Eden Mennonite Church by [[Harder, Abraham A. (1893-1974)|A. A. Harder]] in June 1952 and subsequently ordained in this church in 1965. Dietrich pastored for 42 years, with assignments in Germany ([[Berlin (Germany)|Berlin]] Mennonite Church), the United States (Evangelical United Church, [[Goshen (Indiana, USA)|Goshen]], Indiana and [[Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church (Inman, Kansas, USA)|Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church]], Inman, Kansas) and Canada ([[West Abbotsford Mennonite Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|West Abbotsford Mennonite Church]] in Abbotsford, BC, [[Eden Mennonite Church (Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada)|Eden Mennonite Church]] in Chilliwack, BC, and [[Clearbrook Mennonite Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Clearbrook Mennonite Church]] in Abbotsford, BC). He was also elected to senior conference executive positions, including Moderator, of [[Mennonite Church British Columbia]], and also served as Conference Minister.  

In 1995 Dick and Dorothy located to Berlin, Germany, where for five years they cared for and comforted Mennonite immigrants arriving from the former [[Soviet Union]]. Back home in Canada again, the Rempels accepted a part-time chaplaincy assignment at [[Tabor Home Society (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Tabor Village]], in Abbotsford, a ministry that stretched to 12 years. 

Characteristic of Dietrich, he was a willing volunteer. For 20 years he was on the board of the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana. In retirement, Dietrich joined the book-binding enterprise at [[Clearbrook Golden Age Society (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Garden Park Tower]], contributing to this work for another dozen years. He and Dorothy were long-time, valued members of a Bible study group. In addition to the churches they pastored, Dietrich and Dorothy were members of [[Gathering Church, The (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Bakerview Church]] and later at [[Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada)|Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church]], where his memorial service took place.  

The Rempels saw human need wherever they found themselves. It was not uncommon for Dietrich to carry a muffin with him on his walk about, always ready to engage with strangers along the way, which often became an occasion to offer personal warmth and something to eat for hungry souls. 
= Bibliography =
Rempel, Dietrich. Interview by author. Abbotsford, BC (2019).

"Tribute to Dietrich Rempel." Garden Park Tower Newsletter (June 2023).
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