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Diehl, John E. 1943-2016

DIEHL, TESDELL

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 4/18/2016 at 08:50:14

John E. Diehl

John E. Diehl, of Shelton, Washington, died Tuesday, March 29, 2016, of complications of cancer.

Mr. Diehl was born in Newton, Iowa, October 18, 1943, to John N. and Maureen Tesdell Diehl, was raised in Newton, and graduated from the Newton High School. He went to Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he earned his baccalaureate degree in philosophy, and he proceeded to the University of California, Berkeley, where he pursued his doctoral studies in philosophy.

Mr. Diehl enjoyed classical music and had a life-long interest in nature and the outdoors, and was a self-taught enthusiast in biology, zoology, and ornithology, and in his youth he completed a solo bicycle trip around Lake Superior. He is a central figure in the stories and memories of his cousins as they remember their shared adventures at Farm Island Lake, Minnesota, where he developed his life-long interest in sailing.

After his work at Berkeley, Mr. Diehl held teaching positions at the University of Nebraska (Lincoln) and the University of Minnesota (Morris), and thereafter he moved to Crescent City, California. There he was engaged in a number of pursuits, including work as a classical music disc jockey, and as an accomplished paralegal (doing legal research and briefing legal theories and arguments), and in real estate financing. During these years, he contributed articles and photographs for the newspaper, and he acted upon his strong views on and commitment to the protection of our natural environment which led to his active involvement in Democratic partisan politics during those years.

After Mr. Diehl moved to Harstine Island, he continued many of his interests, including his business interests, being involved in the outdoors, and environmental activism. He used his skills to advance what he perceived to be sound environmental policy in a number of environmental cases, often prevailing, including a victory in the Washington Supreme Court. He was also active in his community, which has been the source of wonderful friendships.

After his father married Helen Diehl, John developed a close relationship with his step-mother who, although separated by great distances, was his witness and sounding board in whatever he would be doing, up to their last telephone conversation the evening before he died. Mr. Diehl was predeceased by his mother and father. He is survived by his step-mother, Helen, one aunt, and many cousins.

As per Mr. Diehl’s wishes, there will be no memorial service and his ashes will be disbursed in nature. Memorials are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice. ~ The Mason County Journal, Shelton, WA April 2016.


 

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