Richard D. Diedrichsen

Richard P. Diedrichsen, 75, son of Dorothy and Clarence Diedrichsen, passed away in his Lordship home on January 29, 2025. He was a graduate of Stratford High School, and graduated cum laude from Assumption College. Richard earned his masters degree from Marquette University on a full scholarship and later received a 6th year certificate in German from Yale/SCSU. “Mr. D” spent the majority of his teaching career at Bunnell High School teaching English, creative writing and coaching soccer. He organized local performances for the poetry club and worked with the school drama department. Richard was a cultural pillar of his school community. He joked that he would teach until he was 100 and then start a Bob Dylan tribute band with his sons. Under his tenure as Head Coach the Bunnell soccer team won several CCIAC titles. He was awarded CCIAC coach of the year in 1991, and was inducted into the Bunnell High School athletic hall of fame in 2011. Richard was instrumental in planting the seeds that would grow the popularity of soccer in Stratford. He organized soccer camps and coaching clinics at Sterling House. He also chaired the coalition to restore the Short Beach Soccer Field. His passion for soccer and coaching led him to co-write 2 books on coaching and sports psychology. Richard also loved playing soccer with the Stratford Coaches Soccer Club, of which he was a founding member. As a leading member of HSV Bavaria, a local German Dance group, he danced with his wife and daughter in many National and international performances. He even traveled to Munich to perform at the Oktoberfest, earnestly earning the nickname “Herr Gemutlich” which translates to “Mr. Goodtimes”.  Richard cared deeply for the community. He served as president of the Lordship Improvement Association and was a long time member of the Lordship Fathers Club. He received the Lighthouse Award for service to his community from the Stratford Community Fund. He researched the lives of Lordship’s WWII veterans and honored them with a speech annually on Memorial Day. He was a faithful parishioner of Our Lady of Peace Church. Family and friends were the most important part of Rich’s life. He was a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was enthusiastic about facilitating ways for his children to pursue their interests. He loved gardening, art and poetry as well as singing, dancing and playing guitar. Rich especially enjoyed spending time at the beach with his family and all the families of Carnivale. His legendary thanksgiving “grace” blessings were both loving and hilarious. Truly a performance to behold. Richard is survived by Julie Diedrichsen - his loving wife of 49 years, his 3 children, Nickolaus (Hannah) Diedrichsen, Lena (David Krochko) Diedrichsen, John Diedrichsen, grandsons Louis and Samuel, his sister Joan (Robert) Root and his brother Neil (Janice) Diedrichsen and many beloved nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass at Our Lady of Peace Church will be celebrated on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 10:30 AM. Arrangements were entrusted to the Galello-Luchansky Funeral Home, 2220 Main Street, Stratford. In lieu of flowers, those who so desire may contribute in Richard’s memory to The Sterling House, 2283 Main St., Stratford CT 06615,  The Lordship’s Father Club, 21½  Prospect Drive, Stratford,  CT  06615 or Lordship Improvement Association, Inc, P.O. Box 313, Stratford, CT 06615. To celebrate his life, please visit us at www.galellofuneralhome.com

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