Karl F. Dieterichs

Karl F. Dieterichs, 84, a lifelong resident of New Britain Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at home on May 26, 2023.

Karl was born April 7, 1939 at Germantown Hospital. He attended New Britain Elementary School through eighth grade and then went on to Central Bucks High School (Central Bucks High School West), graduating in 1957. He attended Clarkson College of Technology (Clarkson University) for engineering and later Temple University for business.

During his childhood and teen years in New Britain, Karl always enjoyed the outdoors. He immersed himself in the lore of the Lenni-Lenape and the Doan Outlaws, spending countless hours searching for artifacts and hidden caves. Karl earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow with the Boy Scouts of America. In his later teen years, Karl spent several summers working as a lifeguard at Forest Park, digging in-ground pools by hand for one of the first pool companies in Bucks County, and delivering flowers for Elbe’s Florist.

Karl discovered folk and bluegrass music in the 1950s, enjoyed listening to The Weavers with Pete Seeger on banjo, began driving out to Campbell’s Corner in Oxford, PA, and took some banjo lessons from Ola Belle Reed. He was hooked. Karl began attending meetings with the Philadelphia Folksong Society to play music and in 1963 founded the Bucks County Folk Song Society. He also formed the folk group The Odes, which is how he met his future wife Jackie, whom he married in 1969. The Odes performed around the region and beyond through the 1980s, including regular performances in the late 1960s-early 1970s on the live children’s show “Anita Klever’s The World Around Us” on WFIL-TV.

Seeing a need to provide folk instruments, accessories, repairs, and lessons outside of Philadelphia Karl opened Bucks County Folk Music Shop in 1966, where he spent over 55 years repairing instruments, teaching banjo, and helping folks find what they needed in the way of instruments, parts, accessories, and information. He also started Buck Musical Instrument Products where he spearheaded the manufacturing of banjos, guitars, ukuleles, bodrans, banjo tone rings, leather instrument straps and more under the brand name Buck.

Karl served for many years on New Britain Borough’s Zoning Hearing Board and Planning Commission and also spent several years coaching shot put, discus, and javelin for CB West. It brought him great joy to see a few of his students break district and state records.

Karl could at times be a polarizing individual, never afraid to speak his mind. However, many people appreciated his candor, whether it was talking with them about what instrument to purchase, why he felt a zoning ordinance should not be passed, or how to properly throw a shot put. While he had a strong work ethic throughout his life, he enjoyed teaching his daughters how to ice skate, canoe, and drive a car, (but not without also learning how to change the oil and change a tire).

Karl leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Jackie, his daughters Kim Dieterichs (Steve Wheelock), Sarah Dieterichs, his grandchildren Joshua and Julia Eisen, and his sister Marlene (Dieterichs) Lesher. He was preceded in death by his parents Annette S. (Mueller) and Frank F. Dieterichs.

All are invited to a memorial luncheon Sunday June 25, 2023 from 1:00 - 5:00 PM at Nostalgia Events at 1720, 136 E. Butler Avenue, Chalfont, PA 18914. Those that play are encouraged to bring along their acoustic instruments for an informal jam following the meal.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bucks County Folk Song Society, c/o 588 Adams Court, Holland, PA 18966 or to the organization of your choosing.