Good Neighbor: Retiree Ernie Dieterich enjoys volunteering at blood center

Some folks are good neighbors to the people next door, or to their friends down the street, but for North Side resident Ernie Dieterich the concept of neighborliness is far more expansive.

“I’ve known Ernie for close to 40 years,” said Gerald Ray. “He married my former sister-in-law, who had three young boys at home, and he raised those kids just like his own.” Ray, a former schoolteacher, was a regular volunteer at the Inland Northwest Blood Center. “One day I couldn’t make my shift, so I called Ernie and asked him to fill in for me,” said Ray. That was 13 years ago.

Dieterich, a retired insurance investigator, has since volunteered thousands of hours at the Blood Center. He’s worked in the canteen serving donors refreshments. He’s worked as a collection assistant and transports staff to and from mobile blood drives. And he’s known for wiggling his ears to coax grins from nervous blood donors.

Collection specialist Terri Niska said Dieterich’s help is invaluable. “He’s so relaxed,” she said. “He’s got a great sense of humor.”

Ray said, “The Blood Center wanted to hire Ernie, but he said that wouldn’t be as much fun.”

Dieterich really shines when the Blood Center sends mobile units to area high schools. Volunteer coordinator Selina Worley said, “One of Ernie’s real strengths is his ability to help high school students with ‘first time jitters.’ He makes the donation process much easier and more enjoyable.”

Dieterich had a more modest take on his relationship with the students. He said with a laugh, “I seem to get along with the kids pretty well, and they seem to tolerate me.”

Niska believes Dieterich would be bored sitting at home and Dieterich himself agreed.

“Volunteering keeps your brain active and keeps you from being a couch potato,” he said. According to Niska, Dieterich has lots of energy. “I can just seem him bouncing off the walls as a kid,” she said.

The Inland Northwest Blood Center isn’t the only beneficiary of his volunteer hours; Dieterich is an elder and active member of Knox Presbyterian Church. He spent a recent chilly morning replacing old windows at the church with more energy-efficient ones. He didn’t seem to mind climbing up and down the ladder.

Wanda, Dieterich’s wife of 37 years, said her husband continues to be a wonderful father and grandfather. In addition, she noted there isn’t anything he can’t fix. She said, “I don’t know whether the church would run without him!”

Dieterich believes having a good attitude has a lot to do with being a good neighbor. “I always ask folks, ‘What altitude is your attitude?’ ” he said.

Gerald Ray appreciates his friend’s positive outlook. “He’s always got a smile,” he said. “I think so highly of him. He’s been like a brother to me.”

Dieterich grew up on a farm where neighbors learned to work together and help one another. To him being a good neighbor means helping others. His work at the Blood Center and at church is simply an extension of that philosophy. Dieterich said, “You have to realize that we all need each other.”