Richard P Diefenbach enlistment date was 7-14-1952 and he served until discharged on 6-27-1956.
Richard Peter Diefenbach, Sr., 72, died August 24 at home in Bel Marin Keys, Marin County, California. He was born April 23, 1932 in New York City. He was the son of Mary Elizabeth Demarest Diefenbach and Elmer G. Diefenbach, formerly of Purchase Lane in Rye, New York. His father was the President of Electric Ferries and Chairman of the Executive Committee of American Securities Corp., which he co-founded with William Rosenwald in 1946. Richard attended high school at Hotchkiss and graduated from the Gunnery. He went on to college at Johns Hopkins University and graduated from Columbia University.
He served four years as a Navy Officer, at the end of the Korean War, on the U.S. Cushing 797, a Fletcher Class Destroyer and one-time flagship for the Fleet Battle Line. His father served in the Army at the end of World War I. Richard retired as President of the San Francisco Shade Company, having spent most of his career in textiles sales, which included Cannon Mills. He was a 40 year resident of California where three of his four children were born. He had been a member of the La Canada Country Club, Apawamis Club and Manursing Island Beach Club. He was a member of Phi Gamma Epsilon National Fraternity.
Richard is survived by four children with Mary Egan Wey: Lynn Lynch (Brian) of Roswell, GA; Richard, Jr. (Laura) of Chappaqua, NY; Edward (Daniela) of Atlanta, GA; John Demarest (Elizabeth) of Lake Forest, IL, along with seven grandchildren: Kevin Lynch, Patrick Lynch, Sean Lynch, Ellie Diefenbach, John Diefenbach, Jr., Daniel Diefenbach and Michael Diefenbach. He is also survived by a partner, Kathi Garner of Bel Marin Keys, CA and three siblings: Robert Elmer of Sanibel FL, John Michael of San Francisco and Mary Anne Sullivan of New York City.
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Published in The Journal News on Aug. 26, 2004.
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.Name: Richard Diefenbach
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 23 Apr 1932
Death Date: 25 Aug 2004
Branch 1: NAVY
Enlistment Date 1: 14 Jul 1952
Release Date 1: 27 Jun 1956
Diefenbach, Sr., Richard Peter (72) Former senior executive of Cannon Mills of North Carolina, and retired President of The San Francisco Shade Co., Inc., passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 24th, at his home in Bel Marin Keys after a long illness. At his side was his Life Partner of 35 years, Kathi Garner. "Dief" as he was known by all was the son of Mary and Elmer G. Diefenbach of Rye, New York. Dief was a graduate of The Gunnery School in Washington, Connecticut, and Columbia University in New York City.
He served four years in the U.S. Navy and saw combat during The Korean War.
Dief is survived by his brothers, Robert E. Diefenbach of New York City and John M. Diefenbach of San Francisco, and his sister Mary Anne Sullivan of New York City. He is also survived by his loving children with Mary Egan Wey, Lynn Lynch and Edward Diefenbach both of Atlanta, GA, Richard P. Diefenbach, Jr. of Chappaqua, New York, and John D. Diefenbach of Lake Forest, IL. He leaves seven grandchildren, Kevin, Patrick and Sean Lynch; Michael Diefenbach, Daniel Diefenbach, Ellie and John D. Diefenbach, Jr. Dief and his loved ones would like to thank all who cared for him the past year at Marin Oncology, The V.A. San Francisco, Novato Community Hospital, Kentfield Rehab Hospital, Marin Home Care, Dr. Ray P. Seet, and especially Bill, his care giver, for all their wonderful care and support. There will be no formal memorial service.
To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published in Los Angeles Times on Aug. 29, 2004.
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