The Mitchell Hamline community lost a giant with the death of Charlton “Chuck” Dietz ’57 at age 95 on Jan. 23, 2026. Dietz was a leader in his career and community service, a steadfast supporter of Mitchell Hamline, and a staunch advocate for the First Amendment.
Born in Lamars, Ia., Dietz graduated from Mankato High School, where he met his late wife, Dottie Lange. The two had three children, Craig (Doris Larsen), Robin Dietz-Mayfield ’93 (Jack Mayfield), Sue Kakuk (Jay); grandchildren, Rachel Lane (Darin), Clinton Dietz, Megan Mayfield ’07 (Mike Alfveby), Andrew Mayfield, Alynn Dukart (Jeffrey), and Karl Kakuk (Elly Power); and six great-grandchildren.
Chuck Dietz while serving as Board of Trustees chair, 1983.
Dietz graduated from Macalester College with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1953. While there, he was hired by 3M to work on their employee magazine. Several of his superiors encouraged him to attend law school at night while working by day. Upon graduating from William Mitchell College of Law in 1957, he was immediately hired by 3M, where he began his 40-year career. In 1988, he became senior vice president of legal affairs, a role he continued until retirement in 1993.
“Chuck Dietz was the quintessential alum of our law school, in the mold of Lena Smith, Warren Burger, and Rosalie Wahl, providing civic leadership and enriching our community well beyond the sphere of his professional legal work,” said President and Dean Emeritus Eric Janus. “He was a steadfast supporter of the law school, and through the years, he was one of the people we consulted when we were venturing over new or hard ground. His advice, and now his spirit, has and will help us stay true to our unique mission.”
Dietz served on the law school’s Board of Trustees for over two decades, starting in 1974. He was chair of the board during the campaign to build the Warren E. Burger Library and taught as an adjunct professor. He supported a number of scholarship funds and academic programs, and he established the Mitchell Hamline First Amendment Scholars Program to support research and scholarship articles by students and faculty that investigate contemporary First Amendment issues.
From left: William Mitchell President and Dean James Hogg, former Chief Justice of the United States Warren E. Burger ‘’31, and Dietz in 1995.
“Chuck’s deeply held commitment to the First Amendment reflected his belief in the power of ideas and open dialogue,” said Professor Leanne Fuith ’10. “His generous support of the law school’s 2024 program on academic freedom exemplified his dedication to fostering thoughtful, principled engagement across differences.
“Through the First Amendment Scholars Program that he created, Chuck expanded opportunities for students and faculty to research, write, and engage with contemporary First Amendment questions, and to learn directly from leading voices bringing differing perspectives to today’s most challenging free-speech debates.”
Philanthropy was close to Dietz’s heart. In addition to his service to Mitchell Hamline, he was on 3M’s board of directors from 1976 to 1993, and he was involved with organizations including the Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society, U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, and many more. He has received numerous awards recognizing his accomplishments and service, including the Professional Excellence Award from the Minnesota State Bar Association, Distinguished Humanitarian Award from the Ramsey County Bar Association, and the Ronald E. Hachey Outstanding Alumni Award from Mitchell Hamline in 1987.
According to his obituary, a visitation will be held on Friday, Feb. 13, from 4 to 7 pm at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center in White Bear Lake, Minn. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 11 am at Parkview United Church of Christ in White Bear Lake.