Charles Emil Deitz

Charles Emil Deitz, 86, of Little Rock, died February 5, 2011 at his home of a rare form of skin cancer. Born January 8, 1925 to Mary Elise and Amos Christopher Deitz, Charlie was a long-time resident of Little Rock and attended Little Rock public schools. In 1942 he joined the Navy, serving four years on the Marlin (submarine) and the USS Runnels and USS Roche (destroyers) in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters and in the occupation of Japan. After his discharge in 1946, Charlie attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he joined the Army ROTC earning the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. In 1950 he received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. A registered professional engineer in Arkansas and the contiguous states, Charlie's 60- year career included work on projects throughout the area. A favorite was the Blanchard Springs Caverns in Mountain View. He founded his own consulting firm, Deitz Engineers, in 1964 and served as president until selling the firm in 1994. He was a charter member and first president of the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineering and a charter member of the Electric League of Arkansas, serving as its president twice. He served on the Arkansas Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors from 1968 to 1979. In 1986 he received the Engineer of the Year award from the Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers, and in 1975 was the first recipient of the Electrical Industry Relations Award given by the Arkansas Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association. He was a member of numerous professional associations including the National Society of Professional Engineers and held leadership positions with the Illuminating Engineering Society, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the Consulting Engineers Council of Arkansas. Charlie was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, the Exchange Club, Rotary Club of Little Rock which he joined in 1982 and received Paul Harris Fellow recognition, a Master Mason of Trinity Lodge No. 694, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite and a lifetime member of Boy Scout Troop 0045. He taught the Caleb Class for several years at Immanuel Baptist Church where he was a member for over 50 years. A man of true integrity with an exemplary work ethic, Charlie lived by the tenets that character counts, your word is binding and all men are due equal respect. Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Dana Meeks Deitz; daughter, Martha Deitz Fitzgerald; grandchildren, Elise, Drew, Emily and David Fitzgerald; brother, Kermit R. Deitz of Searcy; sister-in-laws, Martha Meeks Brown, Sara Covey Meeks and Joan Brown Deitz, and many nieces and nephews. A private burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park on Tuesday, February 8, 2011, followed by a memorial service at Immanuel Baptist Church at 11 a.m, officiated by Dr. Gary Hollingsworth. There will be a visitation/reception immediately following the service. Honorary pallbearers are: Peter Alexander, Robert Bailey, Paul R. Fair, William H. Goodman, Jr., Robert Hallmark, Wingfield Martin, John C. Sims, Sam Storthz and Sanford Wilbourn. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church Bereavement Fund, 501 N. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, Ark. 72211, Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineering, 3217 Bell Engineering Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701 or the Charles E. Deitz ELA Scholarship for the Department of Engineering Technology at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2801 S. University Avenue, Little Rock, Ark. 72204. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.