Peter Dimock, who contributed to the founding of the Center for Practice Transformation in 2012, passed away on May 11, 2024. He was 79 years old.
The center, housed in the School of Social Work, provides continuing education, training, and research to support excellence in mental health treatment.
Dimock earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Minnesota in 1976. He worked in many professional capacities as a psychotherapist, trainer, teacher, and supervisor. He and a group of like-minded therapists championed mental health treatment for men sexually abused as children when the field was in its infancy. He was hired at the University where he taught clinical social work classes, mentored students, and led international study trips for students.
Dimock retired from the U in 2018, but continued to work with the center, see clients for therapy, provide supervision to other professionals, and volunteer time with the Walk-In Counseling Center. He never stopped learning and expanding his horizons. While he was able, he skied, ran, danced, biked, and camped. He took pride in maintaining a cabin where he spent happy times with family and friends. He played classical guitar and keyboard, and he taught himself harmonica. He also loved to sing and was a proud member of Voices of Experience through MacPhail Center for Music. He studied watercolor painting and glass-blowing. Dimock was a gifted cook, and he loved good oysters and good beer with good company. No matter what hobby he was pursuing, he valued connection and conversation with family and friends above all else. He embraced all that life had to offer with enthusiasm, grace, and good humor. He touched countless lives with his warm and caring manner. He will be remembered for his sparkling eyes, contagious laugh, and welcoming smile.
Dimock is survived by his beloved wife, Vicki Nauschultz, adored son Benjamin Dimock, and cherished daughters Alissa Dimock, Stacey Pizella, and Laura Lytle. He will be dearly missed by all of them, as well as by extended family members, friends, and colleagues. Peter was preceded in death by his parents Donald Dimock and Virginia Dimock Cheatle, and siblings Susan Falkenberg, Jimmy Dimock, and Terry Jensen.
A celebration of life will take place Saturday, July 27, at 10:30 a.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 500 Cedar Street, St. Paul. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. See www.centralforgood.org for directions and parking information. To honor Dimock’s amazing life, consider donations to the Walk-in-Counseling Center or Central Presbyterian Church.
