John David Dittmar, passed away Thursday evening, July 10 at the Mount Nittany Hospital. He and his identical twin brother, James Calvin Dittmar, were bom in Loysburg, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1922. The parents were Agnes Roberts Dittmar and John Snebley Dittmar. John graduated from Replogle High School (now Northern Bedford High School) in 1942. In 1952, John married Betty Jane Strom of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, who survives.
John was employed by Glen L. Martin Aircraft Company in Baltimore, Maryland from June 1942 to May 1943. In June 1943, John and Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and did basic training at Paris Island, South Carolina. They were stationed Spring of 1945, in the Philippines. Following the surrender of the Japanese in August 1945, they went to Beijing, China to help clear the area of combatants. In 1946, the twins were discharged from the Marine Corps, grateful they could stay together in their service years.
Attending Penn State from 1946 to August 1950, John completed a degree in Parks and Recreation. A member of Phi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Chi Rho, John served as president in 1949 and 1950. In September 1950, John was hired as the first full-time Parks and Recreation Director of State College. In 1966 he became an assistant to the Superintendent of Schools, in the State College Area School District, in charge of adult education, public relations and the development of outdoor facilities for school buildings. John and his wife, Betty Jane taught ballroom dance in Bellefonte and State College to middle-school age boys and girls from 1952 to 1960.
In December, 1979, John retired from his position with the school district to join his wife as co-director of their business, Strawberry Hill Center for Creative Arts. This included a dance and related arts studio at 1108 South Pugh Street, and an arts and sports day camp for boys and girls at the 23 acre property on Nittany mountain near Centre Hall, known as Strawberry Hill.
John and Betty Jane celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2002. Their children are John David Dittmar, Jr. of Los Angeles, California, Hans Frederick Dittmar of Cartago, Costa Rica, and Heidi Dittmar Biever of State College, Pennsylvania. The five grandchildren are Jesse and Ashley Dittmar of Weston, Connecticut, and Marshall, Madeline and Olivia Biever of State College. John's siblings are James Dittmar of Abington, PA, Betty Snider of Loysburg, PA. Winifred Eichelberger of Sharpesville, PA, and Catherine Dittmar of Camp Hill, PA.
John's special interests were the development of parks, play-grounds, teen centers and senior citizen programs. He took beautiful photographs of the children at Camp Strawberry Hill and enjoyed many friends who shared his interest in golf and bowling.
At John's request a memorial service was held privately for the family. Contributions in his honor may be made to World Vision, an organization that cares for the well being of poverty stricken children, and their families. The address is World Vision, P.O.#78481, Tacoma, Washington, 98481. USA, and to the Foundation for Shaiel : 293 Okeechobee Road, Wilmington, NC 28412. to help a four-year old boy from Costa Rica who has special needs.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.