Edward Frederick Diekmann, Jr.

Edward Frederick Diekmann, Jr., 93, of Oklahoma City, OK, died suddenly October 6, 2023.

 

Born in Iowa City, IA in 1930 to Edward F Diekmann Sr. and Mary Ruth (nee Keck) Diekmann, Ed attended Ottumwa High School, class of ’47, before earning his BS in engineering at the University of Iowa and a MS in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.  Ed served in the Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War, receiving an honorable discharge as a First Lieutenant, before joining Bill Gilbert, Bob Forsberg, and Harry Schmidt as a founding partner of GFDS Engineers in San Francisco, CA. 

 

During his lifetime, Ed, known to the grandchildren as Pop-Pop, enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends at the cabin he designed and built in the Sierra Nevada mountains where he read mystery novels, solved 3D puzzles, worked Sudoku, and had movie nights surrounded by loved ones enjoying a big bowl of popcorn.  Ed and Marilyn, his wife of more than 68 years, traveled together extensively, visiting China before it opened to the general public, Machu Picchu, the Galapagos, Australia and New Zealand, as well as all 50 states and several Canadian provinces.  He shared his vast knowledge and professional expertise throughout his career, serving in many leadership roles in the American Society of Civil Engineers, chairing the American Society of Testing and Materials – Wood Standards Committee, working as a court appointed master in the state of California, and as an engineering instructor of UC Berkeley extension classes. 

 

In addition to his wife Marilyn, known as Mickie, Ed leaves behind his daughters Debbie, Cathie and Laurie and their husbands, seven beloved grandchildren – Levon, Randy, Marilyn, Kristin, Elise, Duncan, and Grace - and four great grandchildren - Leanne, Collin, Cody, and Lucas.  Although Ed was the eldest of four children, only his youngest brother John and his wife remain.  The family plans a private memorial.

 

Donations in Ed’s name to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675 are appreciated.