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Alan Dieffenbach Obituary
Mr. Dieffenbach had a varied career which took him for extended stays in several parts of the United States as well as overseas assignments in Nepal and the Yemen Arab Republic. His first full-time job was as a Smokejumper in Montana and Idaho. After earning his MAT degree, he taught in secondary schools in Salt Lake City, UT, and New York State.
In 1964, Mr. Dieffenbach accepted a assignment as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal. During his first two years in Nepal he served as an instructor at a small college in Tansen, a town in the middle hills of the country, at that time a long day's walk from the nearest roadhead.
Having developed a deep affection for the country, Mr. Dieffenbach jumped at the chance to join the Peace Corps Nepal staff, an assignment which took him to many remote areas of the country. During this period he joined with several other Peace Corps Volunteers in a failed attempt to climb Tukche Peak, a then unclimbed himal in the central part of the country.
Returning to the United States, Dieffenbach joined the staff of the dean of men's office at Oberlin College. After two and a half years at Oberlin, Nepal again beckoned, this time as part of New ERA, a joint Nepali/American research and training organization. It was while on this assignment that he met and married Vishnu Maya Tamang.
Back in the United States, the Dieffenbachs settled in Providence, RI where Dieffenbach worked with a human services planning agency. He became particularly involved with the Southeast Asian refugee communities. The Dieffenbachs took a year off from their Providences to work in the Yemen Arab Republic, as executive officer with a USAID funded water project.
A few years after returning to Providence the Dieffenbachs relocated one more time to Brattleboro where they purchased the Upper Crust Bakery, a business they operated until retirement.
Dieffenbach is survived by two stepsons, Raju Tamang of Martinsburg, WV, and Rabin Tamang of Andover, MA and a cousin, Ruth Heller of Dallas, TX
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Memories and Condolences
for Alan Dieffenbach
Sponsored by BrattleboroReformer.com.
Paul Smith
February 3, 2023
In the early to mid 90s I worked in downtown Brattleboro and would frequently visit the Upper Crust bakery. Alan and Vishnu Maya were wonderfully sweet and interesting people. I miss them and cherish the memories of time spent with them.
Paul Smith
February 3, 2021
I really enjoyed talking to Alan and Vishnu when I worked in Vermont in the late 80's and the 1990s. He was kind, generous and interesting to talk to. I am an avid Star Trek fan and I think Alan liked it too. Deep Space 9 was airing at that time with Avery Brooks as the captain on a Space Station. Alan told me that at one of his college professorship positions he had Avery as a student. Pretty interesting, I'd say! Missing you Alan! Gone but not forgotten.
Paul Smith
May 26, 2020
I knew Alan from going to The Upper Crust for coffee and a treat several days a week in the 90's. Got to hear some interesting things stories about living in Nepal. Moved to WV in 97. Will miss him and Vishnu Maya.
Don & Estrella Chauls
February 24, 2019
Alan was a good friend in Nepal and then in Yemen. We will miss him.
Don & Estrella
February 17, 2019
Dear Alan's family,
I remember fondly each visit to the Upper Crust over the years when I picked up my order of Cuban Water Bread - I had given up baking my toasting bread for the Inn when I discovered yours and it was always a favorite--but my favorite was chatting interestingly and warmly with Alan & Vishnu Maya. And I was grateful that after they closed Alan shared his special recipe with me. Thanks for the sunshine you brought to our daily lives.
Jean Boardman
Whetstone Inn
February 16, 2019
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Alan, but grateful for his service to our nation with the Peace Corps in Nepal.
Our Condolences,
The National Peace Corps Association
February 13, 2019
I am so sorry to hear of Alan's passing.
I wish I had contacted him sooner to thank him for what he did for me.
While in Peace Corps Nepal in the early spring of 1968, I fell ill with dysentery while on the way with my Nepali counterpart to southern Dhading. With an extreme fever I fell into a coma. My counterpart realized the seriousness of it, and, he contacted by runner and telegraph the Peace Corps office in Kathmandu. Alan, my backstop, was fortunately there and convinced the embassy to give him a helicopter to go look for me and bring me back. He arrived on the 3 rd day of my coma and lifted me out and back to the Hospital in
the capital. Thank you so so much. You were my hero. REST IN PEACE Butch Amundson
Kathy Lafirira
February 12, 2019
Vishnu Maya & family,
I am so sorry to hear of Alan's passing. I have such fond memories of working at the bakery with you both. May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories as you celebrate a life well lived.
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