Dietrich Karlson Blickenderfer

Dietrich Karlson Blickenderfer, 49, of Hayden, ID, died unexpectedly at home on Friday, November 26, 2021. He was a loving and joyful husband and father. Dietrich was born in Englewood, NJ to Karl Richard Blickenderfer and Virginia Carolyn (Rogers) Blickenderfer and raised in Tenafly, NJ. After graduating from Tenafly High School, he worked various jobs. While working at Ray’s Pizza in Closter, NJ in 1993, Dietrich met his future wife Sayaka. It was love at first sight for both, but Dietrich took several months to work up the courage to speak to her. That same year he fulfilled a dream of owning and managing a gym, Future Fitness in Teaneck, NJ. A few years later he opened a second location in Ridgefield Park, NJ. After selling the gyms, Dietrich and Sayaka moved to Baltimore, MD in 1999, so Sayaka could attend graduate school. During this time, Dietrich managed his friend’s band Guitbox. Eventually, Dietrich returned to his passion for the fitness and supplement industry and worked for Vitamin World. A few years later, he was recruited by GNC and became a regional sales manager. Dietrich and Sayaka were married during a private ceremony on the beach in Kauai, HI in 2007. Since early on in their relationship, they entertained the idea of moving out west. They would miss their family and friends terribly, but after having children they desired even more to have a different life for their family. While listening to songs from one of their favorite bands, Alter Bridge, Dietrich discovered the song “Coeur d’Alene.” Wanting to know why the song resonated with him, Dietrich researched it. Much to his delight, it was about a beautiful place in Idaho. On December 21, 2013, Dietrich and his family arrived in Coeur d’Alene after driving across the country. Dietrich was overjoyed about finding the perfect place to raise his family. In 2016, Dietrich fulfilled another dream of running a supplement store by co-founding Patriot Supplements in Coeur d’Alene, with a second location opening in 2017 in Hayden. Dietrich truly enjoyed building a rapport with customers and the community. He made so many wonderful, dear friends through the stores. Dietrich is survived by his wife Sayaka (Eguchi) and daughters Kimiko and Hana Blickenderfer of Hayden, ID; sister Constance and brother-in-law Frank Bourque of Berwyn, PA; brother Kurt and sister-in-law Margaret Blickenderfer of Boonsboro, MD, and brother Andrew and sister-in-law Kelly Blickenderfer of Somerville, MA; and eight nephews and nieces. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 9:30 am at The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Rd., Coeur d’Alene, ID and will conclude at 11:00 am. Childcare will be available during the service. The service will be live-streamed and a link will be posted to the Kroc Center Facebook page. Please view Dietrich’s online memorial and sign the guestbook at belltowerfuneralhome.com. To send flowers for the family, please have them delivered to the Kroc Center located at 1765 W. Golf Course Rd. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Friday the 17th of December by 3:00 pm to have all floral arrangements available for the service or in lieu of flowers you can send a donation to the Kroc Center in, thank you.