Dr. Rudolf Emil Deibel

Deibel, Dr. Rudolf Emil SLINGERLANDS Dr. Rudolf Emil Walter Fritz Robert Deibel, 88, of Slingerlands died peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, August 3, 2012. He was born in Berlin, Germany in 1924 to Rudolf August Georg Deibel and Margarete Sophie Marie Deibel (born Bern-hoeft) Rudi loved life, and always had a cheerful and optimistic disposition, despite having survived terrible trials in World War II. He was educated as a pediatrician at the University of Freiburg, Germany. After his immigration in 1962 he worked until his retirement in 1989 at the New York State Department of Health, where he eventually became director of virology. One of his favorite projects at work involved live-trapping wild waterfowl in order to track the spread of avian influenza along migratory pathways. Rudi enjoyed traveling the back roads of New York State, bicycling along the canals, and walking in nature preserves. He was an accomplished embroiderer, producing many beautiful and intricate pieces during his retirement years. Rudi loved food and had an uncanny ability to remember, in detail, meals he had eaten decades earlier. His compassion, humor, talent for making funny faces, and dapper dressing will be missed. Rudolf is survived by his wife of 54 years, Waltraut Emma Maria Deibel (born Rosenbrock), his children, Rudolf Andreas Deibel, Stephan Robert Alexander Deibel, and Christiane "Nina" Renate Deibel, and his grandchildren, Angelica, Max, Haley, Sebastian, Julianna, and Ajanta. He was predeceased earlier this year by his sister, Renate Margarete Anna Henriette Sickinger. The family wishes to thank the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany for their compassionate care. A memorial walk will be held, rain or shine, on Sunday, October 7 at 2 p.m. at Five Rivers in Delmar, N.Y. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Friends of Five Rivers, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar 12054.