John Phillip Diesel

John Diesel Obituary

Family-Placed Obituary

JOHN PHILLIP DIESEL John Phillip Diesel of Palm Beach and Highlands, NC passed away on November 6, 2011 after a brief illness. He was 85. Mr. Diesel was born in St. Louis, MO, on June 10, 1926. He served as a naval aviator in the Western Pacific during World War II. After completing his service he graduated from Washington University with a degree in industrial engineering. He was later honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. He began his career with the firm of McQuay-Norris working on design and development of proximity fuses. After several years in the engineering and consulting business, he went on to become the Chairman of Newport News Shipbuilding. Here, his proudest years were leading the design and construction team of the nuclear-powered NIMITZ class aircraft carriers and the LOS ANGELES submarines, both at the heart of the United States Navy. He then became the President of Tenneco, with many international subsidiaries. He was on many Fortune 500 boards some of which are Alcoa, Cooper Industries, Albright & Wilson, Poclain S.A., Pullman, Tenneco Inc. Jack loved golf, the Chicago Bears, and the St. Louis Cardinals. The pinnacle of his golf achievements was winning the Crosby Pro-Am at Pebble Beach and serving as a member on the Executive Board of the U.S. Golf Association. He was a member of several golf clubs, some of which are Seminole, Jupiter Hills, and Cypress Point Club, in Pebble Beach. He is survived by his wife, Joy Guernsey-Diesel, his four children from a previous marriage, daughter, Holly Johanna Diesel PhD, husband, John Michael (Jack) Heeter, granddaughter, Zoe C. Heeter, grandson, Calvin T. Heeter, daughter, Gretchen Jan Diesel, son, John Henry (Hank) Diesel, grandson, Elliot A. Diesel, granddaughter, Johanna H. Diesel, grandson, John O. (Owen) Diesel, daughter, Dana Clare Diesel Wallace PhD, husband, James E. (Jim) Wallace, step daughter, Cheryl Louise Johnson and step son, David Earl Johnson. A memorial service will be held Sunday, December 4, at Royal Poinciana Chapel at 2:00 PM. Memorial donations may be made to Palm Beach Island Cats, Inc., P.O. Box 173, Palm Beach, FL 33480 Quattlebaum Funeral Home is handling arrangements To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries

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Published by The Palm Beach Post from Nov. 11 to Nov. 18, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for John Diesel

4 Entries

Richard Puccinelli

February 7, 2024

I was blessed to make a potted spaghetti and enjoying glass of wine with Jack and my father Richard Duke.
At their home in pebble beach. That was such a blessing to have that time of fellowship. To listen to you and my father share wonderful stories. Thank you Jack, I dearly wish I would have known about this. I would have gladly been there to celebrate in your life. You will dearly be missed your friend, Richard Puccinelli. Sending many blessing and condolences to Joy

November 15, 2011

Dear Joy,

We are so sad that we will not see Jack again - sitting on his porch with Dumpster beside him - calling with the latest Lake Osseroga problems - having another good meal with the two of you.

He left too soon and we will miss him.

Love,

Brenda and Butch

Tom Eschen

November 13, 2011

Dear Joy, Holly and the Diesel Family,

I am so sorry to hear about Jack. He was one of the nicest guys on the planet and I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed getting together with him to discuss favorite topics like the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington University. We also enjoyed complaining mightily about mutual medical problems with hips, knees, etc.

He was one of my all-time favorites. Palm Beach, Florida has just lost much of its warmth.

My deepest sympathy for your loss.

Dwight & Marsha Mayer

November 11, 2011

Dear Joy and family,
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. Dwight and I are so sorry we all lost Jack. We will miss him. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

Love, Marsha & Dwight

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