Low Down Articles
Valley Lives
Article 126 of 146
This article first appeared in the "Valley Lives" column in the November 18, 2020 issue of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
o o o
Dieter Spitz
'Be good to each other'
By Maya Spitz
Dieter Spitz was born on May 19, 1935 in Karlruhe, Germany. As a young boy, the Second World War saw him shipped deep into the Black Forest after his home was bombed. His years in the Black Forest were his fondest memories in Germany. As a young man, he did an apprenticeship at Siemens, becoming a journeyman precision mechanic.
In 1957 he left Germany for Canada with only $186 in his pocket. He had only intended to stay five years, his lifetime of world travelling not yet conceived of. Not yet speaking English, his first job was shoveling manure. Soon after, he was working on the famous Avro Arrow. He completed high school in Canada and became a teacher. In 1962 he embarked on a year-long trip, visiting countries such as Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Kenya, and Egypt
On February 28, 1963 he met Masako Nishimura in Tokyo. Three days later he proposed and she accepted. He continued his trip, encountering many instances of kindness, hospitality and other forms of generosity. And it must be said that he broke a few hearts along the way as well. When he was robbed in Thailand, leaving him with nothing, the village stepped up. Not only did the police recover most of his belongings, but he learned how to wear Thai fisherman's clothing
He was taken in by a Thai business woman, first staying for free in a hotel she owned and later in her mansion, complete with servants and guards. She became the closest thing to a grandmother that he ever had. He met the Thai kickboxing champion, Pone Kingpetch, on a beach and became part of his entourage, watching his fights from ringside. Walking along the railway tracks on a five-day trek to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, he took the advice of a local and cut through unmarked jungle. Instead of getting lost, he came upon a Mahout camp working the teak forest with their elephants and stayed with them for a few days. In Egypt he climbed the Great Pyramid of Giza and watched the sun set over the Sahara Desert. He described the Taj Mahal as "a poem inlaid in marble." In the last days of his life he told me of his firm belief that he had a guardian angel when he travelled. I believe him.
This trip, building his house (the ultimate gesture of providing for his family) and raising children with Masako were his standout experiences. He also found great satisfaction in teaching and coaching at Wakefield Elementary, where he spent the vast majority of his career. He is credited with establishing the sports program at the school and often expressed deep pleasure in meeting and talking to former students. After his retirement he continued to serve the community by volunteering his time at the [Biblio] Wakefield Library and the Wakefield Memorial Hospital. He also loved to share his poetry and quirky humour with anyone who wished to take the time to listen. He is deeply missed by his friends and family in Canada, Germany and Japan. We love you Opa and are grateful to have known you.
His final words of advice to us: "Be good to each other." To so many people, we are glad you enriched his life.
"Ach du meine güte!"