Dave Dietz grew up in western Nebraska on a farm south of Kimball. He recalls his father telling a farm implement dealer that he did not need a bale lifter because the boys could do that for him.
He attended a one-room school until they moved to Alliance. He graduated in 1966 and things were getting turbulent in the world. He attended trade school and started at Colorado State but with his draft status now at A1 he decided he wanted to enlist in the U.S.Navy Seabees. With his farm experience he became an equipment operator. He returned home from Viet Nam and was given an option for early separation.
 
He attended UNL and met Chris who became his wife. Chris was a member of Lincoln South Rotary Club for years. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. Dave commented about attending events of Lincoln South Rotary and the kindness and support of the Club during Chris' illness and upon her passing. He joined Rotary and, has developed his own passion for the good work that Rotary does in the World.