http://www.vnews.com/Dietrich-Apel-Obituary-Meriden-NH-5700259Lifted verbiage below:
"Meriden, N.H. Dietrich Kurt Albert Apel, 87, longtime resident of Meriden, passed away Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016.
Dietrich was born on May 14, 1929 in Berlin, Germany and spent most of his childhood in Suhl, Thuringia. As a child and young adult he enjoyed the naturally mountainous terrain of his hometown and spent many hours hiking in the woods. He also occupied his time assisting and apprenticing in his grandfather, Franz Jaegers, gunsmithing shop, an experience which would ultimately lead to a lifelong career as a gunsmith and stockmaker.
World War II and the subsequent Russian occupation of East Germany was an especially difficult period which Dietrich remembered with mixed emotions. He ultimately managed to reach West Germany where he worked for the American Air Force at the Wiesbaden Gun Club and started a new gunsmithing shop with his uncle, Kurt Jaeger. Eventually Dietrich received a visa allowing him to work for his uncle, Paul Jaeger, in the Philadelphia area. After his marriage to Eva Apel (ne Sethe), the two emigrated to the United states in 1952 to start a new life.
For the next few years, Dietrich worked on perfecting his gunsmithing craft. Despite experiencing the common plight of the impoverished and overworked immigrant, he did his best to enjoy his own version of the American Dream, which included the joyful births of his son and daughter. His career eventually took him to the Sturm, Ruger Company in Newport, N.H. After leaving New England for other business ventures, he ultimately settled in the Upper Valley area. Dietrich was enchanted by New Hampshires landscape and mountains, which reminded him strongly of his childhood in Germany. He decided to open his own business, New England Custom Gun Service, Ltd., in Meriden, N.H. where he helped build his own home and spent the remainder of his life.
Dietrich was passionate about sharing the history of German Hunting Guns and their makers. After retirement, he founded the German Gun Collectors Association for which he produced and edited a number of Journals (available at the Philip Read Memorial Library in Plainfield, N.H.), including authoring many articles and providing most of the photography. He also led numerous tour groups to Germany, and answered thousands of inquiries regarding German hunting guns. Later, he established his own educational website,
www.germanhuntingguns.com, where he sought to make an easily-accessible resource for those interested.
In the last decade Dietrich found most of his joy in nature, and navigating the many woodland trails and roads of the Meriden and Lebanon areas provided him endless hours of enjoyment, which included meeting and chatting with various people along the way. The family would appreciate that any remembrances of those who crossed Dietrichs path in this capacity be sent to allison.klosi@gmail.com. Other than his daily walks, he took pleasure in the Upper Valleys many offerings of opera, symphonies, and classical music concerts. He was always looking to be useful, and enjoyed performing various volunteer jobs around the area. Family was important to Dietrich, and he spent a good deal of time working on family projects and providing a festive space for family gatherings.
Having faced much adversity in his lifetime, Dietrich resolved numerous near-insurmountable problems. He remained a problem-solver to the last, and is now at peace.
Dietrich leaves behind his wife, Eva Apel; daughter, Christine Apel-Cram; son, Peter Apel; granddaughter, Allison Klosi and husband Edvin Klosi; granddaughter, Sarah Cram and partner Troy Heath; grandaughter, Jennifer Apel; and good friend, Richard Clogston. Many thanks to special friends who have supported Dietrich throughout the years.
Those wishing to make memorial donations are encouraged to consider the American Precision Museum P.O. Box 679, Windsor, VT 05089 (where Dietrich would love for you to visit!), or The Upper Valley Trails Alliance P.O. Box 1215, Norwich, VT 05055.
True to Dietrichs preferences, a small celebration of life, with date to be determined, will be held for family and close friends."
Cheers,
Raimey
rse
