Earl J. Dittbrenner

Enter the Gates of Heaven – Oh Brave Soldier!

United States Marine Corps Sergeant Earl Dittbrenner, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, passed peacefully on the morning of August 14th, after his favorite Marine Corps cover was, for the final time, placed gently upon his head.

Earl is survived by the love of his life, Midge. Earl and Midge met while riding bikes at age 14 and, together, authored a decades-long love story anchored by mutual respect and filled with boundless joy. They recently celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. Earl is also survived by five siblings, born between 1929 and 1951, and he leaves behind three children: Jeff (Kate), Greg (Carolyn), and Suzy (Russ); twelve grandchildren: Kristina, Kimberly, David, Lindsay, Jillian, Kody, Nicole, Emily, Kory, Pearce, Megan, and Madalynne; ten great-grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews, and countless others who viewed him as a role model, mentor and friend. Earl was preceded in death by his son, Scott (Arlene) and many of his closest friends.

Earl enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1948 and served with distinction in some of the fiercest engagements of the Korean War. Most notably, he fought in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, where the 1st Marine Division, including Earl’s unit—Howe Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines—was surrounded and outnumbered six to one by 120,000 soldiers of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army. Battling through unrelenting gunfire and temperatures plunging below –20°F, Earl credited his love for Midge as the motivation that kept him going while others around him fell to the cold and combat.

After returning home from Korea, Earl and Midge married in 1954 and moved to State College, PA, where Earl earned a degree in Business Administration from The Pennsylvania State University. In 1956, they settled in the West Chester area, where Earl practiced accounting for nearly 30 years at several large and small companies. In 1983, Earl opened a transmission franchise with his three sons. Over time, each son came to operate his own business, building on the foundation of the original. All three son’s families continue to successfully run their own businesses, carrying forward Earl’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Earl was deeply involved in his community, especially at his church, where he taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. He and Midge were also longtime participants in the Fresh Air Fund, receiving an award of merit for their outstanding service to underprivileged children from New York City.

True to his father-in-law’s belief in the importance of vacation, Earl took his family to the beach every year. While their early trips were to New Jersey, Ocean City, Maryland became their beloved summer retreat in 1970. For over 40 years, Earl and Midge were known for walking miles hand-in-hand along the shore — talking, laughing and simply enjoying each other’s company.

Those who knew Earl unanimously described him as “one in a million” - a Renaissance man with the heart of a warrior - faithful to his values, intolerant of nonsense, and devoted to those he loved. He was a voracious reader of all types of literary genres, although he had a penchant for history. He was an avid writer, penning clever and thoughtful poems and letters to family and friends that were always worth saving.

Earl was the bedrock of his large family, an influential, but hands-off, loving and supportive force in the lives of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family. His absence leaves a profound void in their hearts, and in the hearts of the many who knew him well. While the world feels quieter without him, his legacy will continue to speak volumes long after his passing.

If you’ve read this far, what are you doing? As Earl would often say, “Stop standing around sucking on a prune pit! Go live—get things done –life won’t wait!”

A memorial service will be held at a later date, when the love of his life, Midge, joins him once more—so they may be celebrated together, as they always were in life.

In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Earl, consider donating your time reading a book (preferably history), seeking truth, practicing forgiveness, and treating others the way you wish to be treated.

Semper Fi, Sergeant Dittbrenner. Mission Accomplished.