PASSING – Former City councillor Dieter Dudy dies at 71 – ‘Truly a sad day’

Former City councillor and well-known Kamloops businessman Dieter Dudy has died. He was 71.

Word of his death began circulating on the weekend and was confirmed by media and on social media today (Sept. 8, 2026).

Dudy moved to Kamloops in 1989 and ran for mayor twice, once in 2011 when he narrowly lost to Peter Milobar by 235 votes, and again in 2022, placing second behind Reid Hamer-Jackson. In between he served two terms as councillor beginning in 2014.

Mayor Hamer-Jackson expressed sadness at the news. “As the mayor, a citizen and a long time customer of Dieter’s I would like to give my condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed in our community in so many ways.”

Deputy Mayor Kelly Hall also extended condolences. “Dieter was a true gentleman,” he told ArmchairMayor.ca. “A resident of our wonderful community always putting community before self. A fixture at our farmers market providing a bountiful harvest of vegetables along with good advice when needed.

“Dieter not only provided for his Community, he was a family man to the core .  Always stepping up when called upon.  Truly a sad day in Kamloops.”

Coun. Mike O’Reilly, a candidate for mayor in the Oct. 17 civic election, and a colleague of Dudy’s when they served on council together, posted on Facebook this morning that “Dieter’s love for his family, his friends, good food, and his community shone through every single day. He had a way of making the people around him feel welcome, valued, and part of something bigger.”

Dudy announced in June he wouldn’t be running for mayor a third time in this year’s civic election but was considering running for a seat as councillor.

He described his political style as a “measured and thoughtful approach. I will always listen first, deliberate second, and then will make a decision.”

Dudy was also known as the operator of Thistle Farm organic vegetable farm north of Westsyde since 1998, and was a regular at local farmers’ markets.

Before that, he worked for a time as agent for Greyhound Canada, and previously as a financial advisor in Kitimat, Prince George and Port Coquitlam. He was a past president of Sun Peaks and Region Farmers’ Market and a director of the Thompson Shuswap Chef Farmer Collaborative.

His volunteer work included the Tourism Kamloops board, Rotary Club of Kamloops and Community Futures.

Dieter Dudy’s wife Debbie Kellogg died in 2020. They have two children.