Garrett "Gary" Walter Dietrich

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our founder, Mr. Gary Dietrich.

While his passing leaves a tremendous void in the Interlaken Wildlife Foundation family, we are honored to carry forward the vision, passion, and legacy he built.

Please keep Mr. Dietrich’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved him in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 

Garrett “Gary” Walter Dietrich, 91, of Cameron, SC, passed away on August 7, 2026, at his home surrounded by family. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 am, Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Dukes-Harley Funeral Home in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The family will receive friends at 10:30 am, the same day as the service at the funeral home.

Gary was born in Lansing, Michigan, son of the late George Walter and Dorothy Eunice (Green) Dietrich. His humble beginnings during the latter part of the depression instilled a strong work ethic, community involvement, and family loyalty that formed the foundation of his life. He was a graduate of East Lansing High School, and after attending Albion College for one year, he transferred to Michigan State University, where he got his bachelor’s degree in economics in 1957. He spent college summers working construction for the Christman Company, assisting in the building of Butterfield Hall, a dormitory on MSU’s campus.

Gary served in the Army National Guard and spent many weekends at Camp Grayling in northern Michigan as a National Guard reservist for 6 years. This commitment instilled in him a sense of patriotism and love of country that remained in his heart throughout his life. After college, he worked at Schaberg-Dietrich, the family-owned hardware company in Lansing, MI, which was also a part of VanDervoorts Sporting Goods store. After the family sold the hardware company to the George Worthington Company, Gary started in the plumbing department, quickly becoming the national sales consultant.

In 1967, Gary assumed the role as leader of VanDervoorts Sporting Goods. Shortly after that, he formed Vanco, Inc., and within a few years, he was distributing Adidas merchandise to 19 midwestern states and formed a separate company, Concept 3, which encompassed over 30 sales representatives. After selling Vanco, Gary was able to pursue the true passions in his life-hunting and fishing, including numerous African safaris with his beloved wife, Carolyn, as well as traveling around the world. Being outdoors, watching sunrises and sunsets, the smell of a campfire, the challenge of the hunt, and the camaraderie formed with friends on these excursions were where he was happiest.

In August of 2021, Gary’s lifetime love of wildlife, conservation, and stewardship culminated in the formation of the Interlaken Wildlife Foundation at his plantation in Cameron, SC. Its mission is to “connect people to nature through outdoor education, recreation, and hunting and shooting sports.” Currently, there are a half-dozen programs established there. The legacy that Gary has created through years of hard work, dedication to his community, and love of the land will endure for generations to come.

Gary was a proud member of Boone and Crockett Club, achieving a lifetime membership honor. He was also a member of the Calhoun Sporting Clays (founder), Shots Shooting Club, 4th Thursday Shooting Club, South Carolina Waterfowl Association, Safari Club, Cameron Community Club, Carolina Yacht Club, Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, National Sporting Clays Association, YPO (Young Presidents Organization), and former Board of Directors member at Michigan National Bank. In 2025, he was granted emeritus status on the foundation board of Orangeburg/Calhoun Technical College. The college also dedicated the Gary W. Dietrich Training Room in his honor for his extraordinary commitment and lasting impact on the college.

Gary is survived by his wife, Carolyn Nance Dietrich; children, Carolyn Small, Laura Dietrich, and Mary (Todd) Gallup, and David Dietrich (Angie Vette); 6 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren, with one due in October. He is also survived by his brother Tom Dietrich (Sheila Brady), MaryAnn (Gary) Guterman, and Kathy Tieman (Tom Harris), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Gary was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Dorothy Dietrich, and 2 grandsons, Jordan Small and Joseph Small.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Interlaken Wildlife Foundation, P.O. Box 696, Cameron, SC 29030.