Charles L. Deihl

With deep sorrow the family of Charles “Bud” Deihl regretfully announces his passing on November 29, 2024.

Holding a Master of Fine Arts Degree, Bud’s life revolved around family, art, and teaching. Born in Chicago, the second of five children, he met the love of his life Peggy at age 14 after moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana. She and Bud were married in 1957 and together they made a strong team raising their two children, Geoff and Kristen, and supporting their parents in times of need.

Since moving to Chagrin Falls in 1999, Bud and Peggy were warmly embraced by the community. Soon after he became involved with the Valley Arts Center where he taught and was instrumental in a major renovation of the facility. His immersion in teaching and the arts community was a dream come true, as the demands of his professional career often imposed themselves on his simple desire to teach and paint. Bud’s integrity and belief in the importance of education and the students’ benefit being the top priority led to positions he never imagined as Department Head of Fine Arts at the University of Cincinnati, Dean of Arts and Humanities at Buffalo State College, and the presidencies of two midwestern art schools. It was only in retirement that he could fully realize his original dream. Since then he won multiple awards for his paintings at the Gates Mill Art Show, and the Akron Art Expo, and was honored with a retrospective of his life’s work in 2021 at the Valley Arts Center.

Bud is survived by his wife Peggy, son and daughter Geoff Deihl and Kristen Tucker, three grandchildren, Christopher Tucker, Sarah Tucker, and Claire Maros, and two sisters, Margaret Waite and Janet Blaine. A memorial will be held December 14 from 4pm to 6pm, fittingly at Valley Arts Center where he invested himself so deeply in the community. 

 Donations to Valley Arts Center in his memory are welcomed.

 https://www.valleyartcenter.org/give.html