Dr. Larry Mark Dietrich, M.D.

 It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Larry Mark Dietrich at the age of 74. He passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025, in Lakeland, FL with his devoted wife by his side. 

He was born on September 5, 1950, in West Lafayette, Indiana, to parents Pauline Smith Dietrich and Verne E. Dietrich. Larry grew up in Naperville, Illinois, and graduated from Naperville High School in 1968, where he excelled in varsity baseball, basketball, and football. After high school, he completed his undergraduate degree at Iowa State University where he played four years of college baseball on scholarship. He played a key role in helping his team win the Big 8 Championship in 1970 and 1971 and in 1970 that team went on to play in the College World Series. In 1971 he was honored to be named an Academic All American.

He earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa School of Medicine in 1977 and completed his post graduate training while serving honorably in the United States Air Force.

In 1985, he began his 30-year career as an interventional radiologist and a partner with Radiology and Imaging Specialists of Lakeland. During this time, he devoted himself to his craft and was able to touch so many lives of the people of our community through his profession. 

Larry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Deborah Simpson Dietrich, his three sons, Derrick and Jason of Lakeland, and Andrew (Bobbie) of Tampa; his four grandchildren, Rain of Lakeland, and Bennett, Remington, and Eliana of Tampa; a great grandson, Luca Williams of Lakeland, and a sister, Louise (Abraham) Loy of Wesley Chapel. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, David.

Visitation will be on Monday, February 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM at Heath Funeral Chapel located at 328 S. Ingraham Ave. Lakeland, FL 33801.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration at 2700 Horizon Dr. Suite 120, King of Prussia, PA 19406.