John C. Diercks

John C. Diercks
Oct. 2, 1927~Apr. 8, 2013
Resident of Saratoga
Passed away peacefully from sarcoma at his home of 35 years. Son of Wilhelmina and Henry Diercks, John was born in Sargent County, North Dakota and attended a one room schoolhouse in Verona. In 1938, Henry inherited the family fruit orchards in Neuenfelde,Germany, and moved the family there. After World War II, John joined the American Army of Occupation and was discharged in Massachusetts. He received a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University and his MBA from Rutgers University. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Society and Pi Tau Sigma. His career started in sales and marketing at General Electric, then worked for FMC and later as an executive for Dysan, Phase II Automation and Komag. After retirement John traveled with his wife across the USA and abroad visiting family and friends. An avid reader, he enjoyed water and snow skiing, tennis, golf and mountain bike riding.
John is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ann, and three children: John R. (Christen) of Rancho Palos Verdes and grandsons Hunter, Daniel and Nathan; William "Bill" (Deborah) of Roseville and granddaughters Lauren and Kiersten; and Katherine (sweetheart of David Fortwengler) of Santa Cruz; his sister Lore Broehan of Hamburg, Germany, and his brother Werner of Atlanta, Georgia, two nephews and a niece plus their families.
A celebration of John's life will be held on Sunday, May 5th, 2013, at 1 o'clock in the Chapel at the Saratoga Federated Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.