December 9 2017: MIKULLA, Dirk

DIRK MIKULLA

Dirk Mikulla, of Silver Spring, Maryland, was called home to God on Thursday, December 7, 2017. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany on August 5, 1967. He moved to the United States in 2000. Dirk had a Master’s Degree in electrical engineering and computer science. He worked 30 years for Siemens.

Dirk married his first wife, Adriana Tschinkel, in 2000. After three and a half years of marriage she was diagnosed with cancer. He provided for her every need and carried her through her final months of life.  After her passing he used a picture she gave him from a hiking magazine to find the perfect location for her ashes. After a week he finally found the exact spot.

He took time off of work to mourn the loss of Adriana and traveled across the country to visit the places they had vacationed together. Three short months later he met Julie and it was love at first site. Julie and Dirk dated three years and married in 2007.  They celebrated 10 wonderful years of marriage in June of 2017.

Dirk had many hobbies and interests and became an expert at everything he pursued. He loved nature and tried to bring others closer to nature through hiking.  He found peace and comfort being outdoors.  His hobbies with Julie were hiking, biking, gaming and kayaking. He also loved music composition and Ham radio.  He enjoyed the comradery of his Ham radio friends and speaking German on the Sauerkraut net.  He was an expert billiards player, monopoly and rummy player as well as backgammon.  Few knew he could knit.  Coffee and Danish were always a pair; you couldn’t have one without the other. His witty humor brought laughter to the lives of those close to him.

He was a self-taught builder and home improvement expert.  He wasn’t afraid of tackling difficult solutions to any problem. This approach to problem-solving started at a young age when, as a child, he took apart his stereo and rebuilt it. He had a strong work ethic and determination. Work colleagues expressed that Dirk was a hard worker and someone who was great at fixing problems and finding solutions.

Dirk had a huge heart and practical sensibility. He gave good advice and counsel to solve problems by balancing what’s in a person’s heart and in their mind. He loved animals and thought dogs were the better humans. He enjoyed cooking German food for his American family. He spoke four languages and lived in Mexico for several years.  His favorite place to visit was the southwest of the United States.

Dirk is survived by his beloved wife Julie, her children Aaron and Mason (Michelle) Hvizda, and his dog, Trevor. He was a beloved and wonderful step-father to Julie’s children.

Dirk believed when nothing else was left, there’s only love.

Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), on Wednesday, December 13, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm. On Thursday, December 14, viewing and eulogy will be from 10:30 to 11 am at St. Peter’s Church, 2900 Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD, 20832, where Funeral Mass will follow at 11 am. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Church, in care of Anne Marie Prangley. Please indicate in memo line Honduras Medical Mission.