Dieter Felix Siegbert Henschel

Dieter Felix Siegbert Henschel, 85, of Esmont, peacefully passed away on September 19, 2025, at UVA Health Care with his loving family by his side.

A native of Germany, Dieter was born on July 18, 1940, to the late Paul Erich Henschel and Magdalena Otilla Raabe Henschel. Dieter grew up in Bayreuth, Germany in 1940’s. His memories of his early years were fractured by the trauma of World War II. In 1961, he came to the United States of America as an exchange student. He returned to Germany and graduated from Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University with a degree in Agricultural Engineering.

Dieter returned to the United States in 1965 and spent several years working on farms, traveling and making connections throughout the country before he met the love of his life, Susan Henschel. Dieter and Susan were married for 38 years before she passed away in 2011. They built a beautiful life in Esmont, Virginia, where they raised their two children. As time went on, Dieter became a proud “Opa” to his three grandchildren, developing a special and unique bond with each of them. These included a love of reading with Reily, dairy farming with Peyton, and history with a love of all things German with Aksel.

Dieter spent his life farming; he loved working with cattle and making hay. He spent most of his working years managing Scottland Dairy Farm in Scottsville Virginia. He worked daily throughout his retirement, making hay and tinkering with farm equipment frequently. An active member of Mooreland Baptist Church in North Garden, Dieter was a member of the buildings and grounds committee, helping to take care of the cemetery. He and Susan worked with youth at church, supporting children of all ages. They led by example, with open hearts, grace and love for all that knew them. Like his father, Dieter loved to sing and spent time weekly singing in the choir at Mooreland. To know Dieter was to have a friend for life. He led with love and laughter (and giant German hugs) and often had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

In addition to his parents, Dieter was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mildred Susan Henschel (Chapman), and his brother Karl Georg Henschel of Germany.

He leaves to cherish his memory a daughter Dietra Susan Henschel of Esmont; a son, Erich Jacob Henschel and his wife Allyson, their children Reily Paige Henschel, Peyton Suzanne Henschel, and Aksel Jacob Henschel all of Crozet; He had a special bond with Susan’s siblings, Christopher Chapman and his wife Sherry, their daughters Tiffany Cox (Keith Cox), and Christine Ugron (Joey Ugron), and Jamesly Chapman.

The family will receive friends from 6 pm - 7 pm on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Thacker Brothers Funeral Home, 650 Valley St. Scottsville VA 24590. A funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Mooreland Baptist Church, 2255 Taylors Gap Rd. North Garden, VA 22959 with Reverend Clarke Hawkins presiding. Interment will immediately follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dieter’s honor to Mooreland Baptist Church in North Garden, Virginia.

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