Walter Diem

Walter Diem

October 28, 1928 - February 25, 2013

Walter Diem

October 28, 1928 - February 25, 2013

Obituary

Walt Diem, age 84, passed to our Lord February 25, 2013 in Laguna Hills, California.

Walt was predeceased by his wife, Nancy, who died in 2004. He is survived by his son David and wife Darlene; his daughter Carol and partner Cathy; two grandchildren, Katie and Christopher; six step grandchildren, Sammy, Chelsea, Marian, Sara, Angela and John; and eight step great grandchildren.

Walt was born in 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Clarence and Kathryn Diem. He was the middle of three brothers, all 6 years apart in age, falling between Albert the oldest and George the youngest.

Walt excelled in school, and participated in many activities, including school plays. His early aspiration was to become a minister, and he spent his first year in college working toward that goal. He then joined the Navy and found a passion and talent in electronics. While in the Navy, he met and married Nancy Elizabeth Abbot in 1951.

Following his time in the Navy, Walt enrolled at UC Berkeley and received a degree in electronic engineering, graduating with honors in 1956. He soon found a place in aerospace electrical engineering. He was involved with many unmanned space programs at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he retired in 1994 after 30 years of service. Walt also spent many years as a volunteer assisting with communications for the Pasadena Rose Parade.

After his wife’s death, he moved to the Wellington in Laguna Hills in 2007. There he made many friends and is best known for his hallway full of year-round seasonal decorations and fun. In Laguna Hills, Walt’s religious interests again came to the forefront, and he re-committed his life to Jesus Christ when he was re-baptized last year at Saddleback Church.

Walt touched many lives with is kindness, humor, instruction and wisdom. He will be deeply missed.

Graveside service will be held with family only at El Toro Memorial Park at 10AM, March 19, 2013.

A celebration of his life for family and friends will be held at the Wellington in Laguna Hills, California at 2PM, March 19, 2013.

To view more photos of Walt and the video of the service visit:
http://www.lifetomotion.com/login/diem4743/movie/movie.html

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3 responses to Walter Diem

  1. Julie Najar says:

    Lit a candle in memory of Walter Diem

  2. Denise Gomez says:

    Lit a candle in memory of Walter Diem

  3. Sandra says:

    I just found out about Walter’s passing this evening. I am a volunteer for the city of Aliso Viejo and he attended our Veteran’s Day event for at least the last few years that I had been involved. I had the opportunity to sit and speak to him at length at the last event in 2012. He asked me if I drive down Moulton often and told me all about his window that he decorated for each holiday at the Wellington. From then on, my daughter and I would always look forward to seeing his creations as we drove by. I noticed that I hadn’t seen any for the 4th of July or Halloween and was worried about him, though I didn’t remember his name. So I looked forward to seeing him again tonight at our Veteran’s event for 2013. I was saddened to see he wasn’t there and was asked to take over the certificates of all the Wellington residents after the event. I was happy to do it because I wanted to find out about that adorable and wonderful man that I had met and enjoyed so much. However I was worried about what I may hear and my worst fears were confirmed when I described him and his window decorations – I needn’t have said more – they all knew immediately who it was and told me how much they missed him. I am so sorry for your loss…I had tears in my eyes all the way home and called my daughter at college to tell her. He, no doubt, touched many lives and I wanted you to know about how he touched ours. I am sorry I didn’t know at the time – I would have attended his services. May your dad and granddad rest in peace. It was such an honor to have met him and I treasure that moment.

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