The Dick Family, Architects

Wilhelm Dick (1874 - 1904)

Wilhelm Friedrich Dick (*August 26, 1874 in Hoffenheim, + May 19 1904 in Sinsheim) was the architect who drew up the plans for the synagogue. Considering his age we can assume that this was one of his first buildings. He followed the pattern that was common for small rural synagogues at that time. He uses round-arched windows in a moderate „Historistic style”.

In 1892 he was still under age, so he did not sign on the planning application. When the authorities asked who would be the responsible supervisor on the building site the answer was: this would be provided by „the building firm Dick in Hoffenheim”.

On July 11, 1901 Wilhelm married Sophie Hilspach (1880 - 1961), the daughter of the brewery owner Karl Heinrich Hilspach from Sinsheim and his wife Katharina Groß. The couple moved to the „Villa Sophia” in Sinsheim that Wilhelm Dick and his brother Anton built in 1900/01.

When Wilhelm died on May 29, 1904, his brother not only carried on the architect business, but he married the widow Sophia in 1907. The new couple had two children, Martha (*1909) and Wilhelm Friedrich (*1911).

Anton Dick (1840 - 1900)

Wilhelm's father Anton Dick (sen) was a stonemason and builder. He not only owned the building firm in Hoffenheim that built the synagogue, but above that he was the supervisor for the Bezirksamt, who had to approve of the building. So he wrote the report for the authorities, which influenced the planning consent! Of course he agreed with the plans but stipulated some changes. These were taken by the authorities but some of them were just disregarded. Anton Dick (then as the supervisor again) this time declared them as unnecessary.

Anton Dick (sen) was born on September 19, 1840 in Grombach as son of the barrel builder Peter Dick and his wife. He married Emma Dietrich (1847 - 1917) from Hoffenheim. The couple had five children, Charlotte Antonia (*1873), Wilhelm, Anton, Mathilde Rosa (*1878) and Carolina Thekla Sophia (*1879). Anton Dick died on March 23, 1900 in Hoffenheim.

Anton Dick (1876 - 1932)

Even Wilhelm's brother Anton Dick (1876 - 1932) was an architect. The brothers had a common office, first in Hoffenheim and later in Sinsheim.

Wilhelm had married Sophie Hilspach (1880 - 1961), the daughter of the brewery owner Karl Heinrich Hilspach from Sinsheim and his wife Katharina Groß.

When Wilhelm died on May 29, 1904 in Sinsheim, his brother not only carried on the architect business, but he married the widow Sophia in 1907. The new couple had two children, Martha (*1909) and Wilhelm Friedrich (*1911).

Anton died in Heidelberg on August 12, 1932. He, his brother Wilhelm and their wife Sophia have a common grave in the Sinsheim cemetery.