Sidney Diamond

Sidney Diamond of West Lafayette passed away on October 25, 2025, at the age of 95. He was born in New York City on November 10, 1929, the son of the late Julius and Ethel Diamond.
Sidney and Harriet met through Sidney's close friend and Harriet's brother, Morris Urish. Sidney married Harriet Urish in New York on May 2, 1953.
A 1946 graduate of The Bronx High School of Science in New York, Sidney received a bachelor's degree from the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University in 1950, a Master's degree from Duke University in 1951, and a Ph. D. from Purdue University in 1963.
He was a Highway Research Chemist at the predecessor agency of the Federal Highway Administration in Washington, D.C. from 1953 until 1965. He joined the faculty of the Purdue University School of Civil Engineering as an Associate Professor in 1965, was promoted to Professor in 1968, and named Professor Emeritus in 2002.
Professor Diamond was an internationally recognized authority on the chemistry of cement and concrete, and had published more than 200 research papers. He lectured widely at research institutions in the US, Europe, Japan and elsewhere, and was on the editorial boards of a number of technical journals. A Fellow of the American Ceramic Society and of the American Concrete Institute, he was listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Engineering, and other compilations.
He was a consultant for various Fortune 500 companies and specialist engineering firms, and served frequently as an expert witness in litigations.
Sidney was a life-long learner of a variety of subjects. He also enjoyed listening to music, exercising, and playing cards with his family.
He was a long-time member of the Sons of Abraham synagogue in Lafayette.
Sidney was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Harriet. Surviving are their daughters Florence Wibel (Keith) of Scottsdale, AZ and Julie Karni (Ben) of San Jose, CA and Western Springs, IL. Sidney and Harriet enjoyed their grandchildren, Etan Karni, Yael Karni (Sam), Sean Wibel and David Wibel and great-grandchildren, Joshua Rienstra and Nina Rienstra.
The funeral will be held Tuesday, October 28. Visitation one hour prior to the 1:00 pm service at the Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Lafayette, IN followed by interment at Sons of Abraham Cemetery.