When Robert Dietrich heard a speaker from Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch at his church in Alliance, NE, he was drawn to the Ranch's work with kids. It resonated for a couple of reasons.
First, he had a great childhood with his parents and his older brother Kenton. They grew up in a small Nebraska community, Alliance, where their father worked as a car salesman and later on the railroad. They attended Sunday School and church and were close to their grandparents who lived nearby, which created great childhood memories. Robert was grateful for his childhood. He has always wanted to help kids who didn't have the same experiences.
Second, Kenton had real struggles both at school and later at work. "I didn't put it together until about ten years ago," Robert said. "I started hearing about Asperger's and Autism and realized my brother was autistic. He was so bullied. It was just terrible."
Through Kenton's experiences, Robert began to understand the difficulties of the children who come to the Ranch. As he learned more, Rober realized that many of the children at the Ranch were not that different from his brother. The big difference was that Ranch kids didn't have the same opportunities and support as Kenton received from his family.
"At the Ranch, these children hear the Gospel. And above all, they are shown a little love. Love can break through so many barriers. We are social creatures. We need love, and we need to give love. Kenton had that love, and he has done well in life."
After spending time in the Navy, Kenton worked for Burlington Northern for 13 1/2 years. At the same time, Robert went to college and graduated with an Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. After working with his uncle, who was also an optometrist, for a few years, Robert moved back to Alliance to buy the building and practice from a retiring EENT.
Neither Robert nor Kenton married, and after a few years, they bought a house together.
"I was thinking that that's the way the Lord wanted to work it," Robert said. "Kenton knows Jesus as his savior. He reads his Bible. He is so gentle, and you can see his love for Christ even though he still struggles, as we all do in this life. It is beautiful. God worked it out so we could grow in faith together and I could care for Kenton."
Over the years, Robert and Kenton had owned several cars and frequented car auctions all over the country. "We liked muscle cars," Robert said. "One time, Kenton had a 1977 limited production Pontiac Can Am. We took it to a big-time auction in Tuscon, AZ, and sold it down there. From the time we were little, we had an interest in cars almost to the point that they've become idols. A year or so go, we decided it was time, and while we were still able, to get rid of this last one and be 'free'."
When it came time to be free of their last car, a 1969 Dodge Coronado RT, Robert asked Dennis Aune, Development Officer at the Ranch, if they could donate it to the Ranch. Dennis worked with the Ranch's business office to determine the best way to accept and sell the car so the dollars could support children at the Ranch.
Robert said, "Dennis has been awesome. I guess the donation routine is you put the car on auction on the internet. He is arranging all of that and said he will be at our house when whoever buys it comes to get the car. That relieved our anxiety because otherwise, you're dealing with someone you don't know, and that scenario could put my brother in a panic situation."
When their car sells, the dollars will go to the Bismarck Chapel campaign fund where they will be used towards a matching grant from the Rupert Dunklau Foundation. With Robert's heart for children and his and Kenton's passion for Christ, the chapel fund is a perfect fit.
"If you can teach children about the Lord when they are young, they will not depart," Robert said. "If you can get the Holy Spirit in their heart and have them experience the love of Christ, then nothing is impossible for them. The Ranch falls beautifully into God's plan for these little children."
This article was originally published in Ranch Voice: Winter 2022.
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