George Dieter was a Texan whose career was dedicated to public service, most notably as the Public Works Director for the City of El Paso. His roots in El Paso traced back to the 1880s.
Early Life and Education
George Dieter was born in Austin, Texas, in February 1918. His full name was Philipp G. Dieter. He pursued an education in engineering.
Career
Dieter had a long and impactful career in public works.
Early Career
Before his tenure in El Paso, Dieter served in the Army, being stationed at Ft. Bliss on April 1, 1946. He served in the South Pacific in 1943.
Public Works Director of El Paso
In 1962, George Dieter made the move to El Paso to take on the role of the City’s Public Works Director. This was arguably the most significant appointive position within the city government.
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Personality and Qualities
Those who knew Dieter described him as possessing a unique combination of traits that made him well-suited for his demanding job. While he might have appeared nervous at times, this was not indicative of his true state.
One particularly valuable asset that Dieter possessed was a well-developed sense of humor, which he often relied upon. He was also known for his genuine interest in various aspects of community life.
Personal Life
Dieter was an outdoorsman, enjoying activities such as fishing. He was also involved in the Church.
German Influence in Mexico
The legacy of German presence in Mexico is multifaceted, influencing culture, industry, and even language. German Mexicans, descendants of immigrants primarily from the mid-to-late 19th century, have integrated into Mexican society while retaining cultural traits.
Historical Context
German settlement in Mexico dates back to when Texas was under Spanish rule. Friedrich Ernst and Charles Fordtran established the first permanent settlement of Germans in Industry, Austin County, in the early 1830s.
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The blanqueamiento movement, a collaboration between Porfirio Díaz and Otto von Bismarck in 1890, led to the settlement of 450 German families in Soconusco near Tapachula in Chiapas.
Cultural Impact
German influence is evident in Mexican dairy, brewing, and musical entertainment industries. The Northern regional musical sub-genres of tejano, banda, ranchera, and norteño, among others, have been significantly influenced.
Language
Plautdietsch, a dialect of Low German, is spoken by Mexican Mennonites in Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, and Aguascalientes. German as a language of study remains popular in Mexico, second only to French as the most commonly studied foreign language.
Integration and Assimilation
Following the “mestizaje” propaganda efforts by the Institutional Revolutionary Party, European immigrants were encouraged to assimilate into society. While many Mexicans of German heritage do not speak German, there are revitalization efforts in the 21st century.
Education
Mexico has a substantial number of German schools, with over 3,000 publicly administered German language schools. The Colegio Alemán Alexander von Humboldt in Mexico City is the largest German school outside Germany.
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Surnames
Surnames of German origin are found in the Yucatán Peninsula and Northern Mexico. Hispanicized spellings of German surnames exist due to assimilation campaigns.
German-Jewish Refugees
Before and after declaring war on the Axis Powers in 1942, Mexico accepted Jewish German refugees, with community reports citing a higher number of arrivals than official documents.