Dieter Lung Obituary (1935 - 2026) - Ridgewood, New Jersey

Dieter Lung, 91, of Ridgewood, N.J., died peacefully at home in his sleep on May 23, 2026. Born in April 1935 in Stuttgart, Germany, to Erna and Oskar Lung, Dieter grew up with his older brother, Günther. His childhood in war-torn Germany was marked by hardship, including the loss of his father at age 9. By age 12, he was supporting himself while working on a farm in Switzerland and attending school. He later learned the trade of painting. Inspired by letters from relatives in America, Dieter immigrated to the United States at 19 and began working as a house painter. Within six months, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed in Germany, where he gained technical experience and met his future wife, Ingrid. After marrying, Dieter and Ingrid returned to the United States and built a life together while raising their family. He went on to a lengthy career in computing and systems technology, working at Ford, Borden, ADP, and Pfizer before spending more than 27 years at The New York Times, where he retired as Director of Systems and Technology. A devoted husband and father, Dieter, was known for his strong work ethic and his ability to build and repair anything. He later applied those talents to a family-supported rental business. Whether pouring the foundation posts for the deck at the family’s New Jersey home or adding a third floor to an Amish farmhouse, he built things to last. In the farm community, well-made work was often described simply as something “Dieter built.” Dieter was also an avid gardener who grew fifty tomato plants each year, along with many other vegetables and herbs. He will be remembered for his love of nature, wisdom, intelligence, sense of humor, and steady presence. Dieter is survived by Ingrid, his beloved wife of more than 68 years; daughter Yvonne and her husband, John; son Stephen and his wife, Amy; daughter Kim; and grandson Nathan (son of Stephen and Amy). He was laid to rest in upstate New York, where he spent many happy hours working on his farm, a place he dearly loved. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, his sister-in-law, and his infant son.