James Edward Dietsch, 78, died on March 31, 2026. Jim, or "coach" to many, passed away peacefully in his sleep after spending his final weeks surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born on April 6, 1947, in Baltimore, Maryland. Jim attended Baltimore Polytechnic High School where he lettered as captain of both the lacrosse and football teams. After graduating high school, Jim attended the University of Maryland in 1965 playing on the Terp's lacrosse team all four years. He was a member of the 1967 national championship team and three ACC championship seasons.

Upon graduating the University of Maryland in 1969, Jim proposed to Barbara Ann Yates while watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. The two were married on March 28, 1970, at the University of Maryland chapel. The following year they moved to Giessen, Germany as part of Jim's service in the U.S. Army.

After serving in Germany, Jim taught at Tilden Middle School in Montgomery County (MCPS), Maryland. In 1972, Jim returned to the University of Maryland to work with the soccer and lacrosse programs. Jim served as the men's head soccer coach from 1975–1980 and the assistant men's lacrosse coach from 1973–1978, including the 1973 and 1975 NCAA championship teams. The phrase, "Be The Best," began during Dietsch's time at Maryland and remains a motto and mantra for how he lived his life and mentored others both on and off the field. In spring of 1981 Jim was named Maryland's Assistant Athletic Director in charge of academic affairs for the athletic department until leaving the University in 1986.

Jim returned to middle school, teaching industrial arts and physical education at Thomas W. Pyle Middle School for over 20 years and joined his best friend, Dave Mintzer, coaching at Catonsville Community College and later at various high school and youth programs within Maryland; including Paint Branch High School, Glenelg Country School, Hammond High School, Savage Boys and Girls Club and others. After retiring in 2007 from teaching in Maryland, Jim returned to collegiate coaching at Limestone College, Gaffney, South Carolina. The following year he accepted the position as head coach of men's lacrosse at Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, North Carolina, near Charlotte. While at Belmont, Dietsch led the team to a Conference Carolina Tournament Championship. After retiring from Belmont, Jim and Barbara moved to Ocean View, Delaware. While in Delaware Jim could not stay away from coaching long and started the boy's lacrosse program at Indian River High School and later a middle school recreational league.

In retirement Jim and Barbara enjoyed traveling the world and spending time with friends and family. The two enjoyed watching their three beautiful granddaughters grow-up. Often present at milestone events, Jim always put a smile on the young girls faces.

Jim was not only a beloved parent to Erika and Kevin he was a passionate mentor to countless young men and women and taught the importance of working hard and learning from your mistakes. Jim believed as long as you do your best in life and never let anyone out hustle you, then you will be successful in whatever you do.

Jim is survived by his college love and wife of 56 years, Barbara Ann Dietsch, devoted father to daughter Erika (Keith Mutchler) and son Kevin (Ioana Dietsch) He delighted in being a grandfather to Julia and Olivia Dietsch and Erin Mutchler.

A visitation will be held from 10:30-11:30 AM on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Mariner's Bethel Global Methodist Church, 81 Central Ave., Ocean View, DE 19970 where a celebration of Jim's life will begin at 11:30 AM.  A reception will follow at Ocean 99 in Bethany Beach, Delaware.

Memorial donations can be made to the University of Maryland Men's Lacrosse program , the University of Maryland Men's Soccer program and the Parkinson's Foundation .