Longtime Pullman resident Klaus-Dieter Ebert, 78, passed away Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015, at his Albion home. In keeping with Dieter's request, no formal memorial services are planned.
Dieter was born June 20, 1936, in Nordhausen, Germany, to Kurt and Paula (Hoffmeister) Ebert. He grew up in Germany and attended the local schools. Dieter was 14 when his family left everything behind and fled to West Germany before the borders were secured. He completed school up until the ninth grade and then began his apprenticeship with Volkswagen as an automotive technician.
After completing his four years of apprenticeship, Dieter was then sent out by Volkswagen to work as a technician in their various dealerships around the world. One assignment sent him to South Africa and it was there that he met Anna Jansen van Vuuren. They married on Oct. 29, 1960, and continued to live in South Africa. It was while they were living there that their two sons were born.
In 1977, Dieter and Anna decided to move to the United States. Dieter sent out his resume and was hired by Lovebug Center in Pullman. After working at Lovebug for several years, Dieter branched out on his own and opened Deda Auto Repair in 1984. He "retired" from the shop in 1997 when his son Jorg took over the business.
Dieter was a model train buff, an avid reader, a never-ending student of history and most of all he was the epitome of a "car guy." He will be remembered for not being able to leave any of his automobiles to their stock specifications. In fact, Anna recalls the trips around the country they took in their Volkswagen bus that was retrofitted with a Porsche engine. Dieter and Anna enjoyed traveling together and made several visits to South Africa over the years. Dieter will always be remembered for his sense of humor and ability to bring joy to others. He was also a long-standing member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Pullman.
Dieter is survived by his wife, Anna of Albion (soon to be moving to Poulsbo, Wash., to be closer to her son); sons Jorg of Post Falls, Idaho, and Sascha (Katherine) Ebert of Poulsbo.
Memorial contributions in Dieter's honor are suggested to the Whitman County Friends of Hospice, P.O. Box 484 in Pullman.
Kimball Funeral Home and Crematory of Pullman has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.kimballfh.com.
