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Albert Diener, Jr.

March 17, 2024

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Albert J. Diener, known as Al, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2024, in Forsyth, IL, at the age of 82. He was born in Dunkirk, Indiana. Al was an intelligent and strong-willed man; he enjoyed gardening and nature, traits no doubt borne planting countless pine trees and apple trees on the families plot of land in Indiana, alongside his father, the home affectionately referred to as “The Pine Patch”.

He graduated from Dunkirk high school and went on to attend Saint Joseph’s college in Rensselaer. Al left school and joined the Air Force in 1962, specializing in electronics. After first meeting at a college mixer, he married Patricia Howes of Oak Park, Illinois in 1963. Together they went on to have four children, three boys and a girl, the first two arriving while he was serving in the Air Force stationed in the United Kingdom and stateside. After leaving the Air Force, he used the technical skills he developed from his service and joined IBM. There he built a career that would last nearly three decades with the company, finally retiring in 1996 in Chicago. Sitting down and relaxing was not Al’s idea of retirement, rather he went back to school and completed his undergraduate degree and then went on to earn a Master’s degree in Education; he then joined the Chicago Public Schools and taught middle school for several years before “retiring” a second time.

Al was also deeply concerned with the environment, actively volunteering with various nature restoration efforts where he lived, whether it be via the Friends of the Chicago River while in Chicago or later with Rock Springs Nature Center after moving to central Illinois. He would go on to become a Master Naturalist. At Rock Springs, he enjoyed once again teaching young people about nature and the environment, and how to protect it. He enjoyed being outside in the fresh air, no doubt reminding him of growing up in Indiana at his parents’ home. In his free time he was extremely active, taking up cycling, and hiking. As age made those activities more difficult, he joined Zumba to remain active, as well as joining book clubs at the local library to keep fit mentally.

Al is survived by his four loving children, John (Malissa) Diener of Mesa, AZ, Matt (Karen) Diener of Hawthorn Woods, IL, Chris (Tatiana) Diener of Silver Springs, MD, and his youngest child Jen (Ken) Elsey of Forsyth, IL as well as his cherished grandchildren, Quinton, Nia, Emily, Thomas, Erica, Abigail, Catalina, Tatiana, and Stephanie. He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant brother and his dear sister Anne Pflum.

A private burial for the family will be held on Monday, March 25, in Dunkirk.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to a nature conservancy near you or the Tunnels for Towers Foundation. These organizations were close to Al’s heart, and any support would be greatly appreciated.

Al will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. His memory will forever live on in the hearts of his family and friends.

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While I did not get to see my Grandpa Al for quite a few years, I will always remember his entertaining laugh, picking him up at the airport (with signs!) when he visited us as kids in California, and his funny stories of my dad as a kid. But most importantly I will remember and cherish how he was there for my dad, his son Chris in the last 12 or so years. After moving across country again and having 3 wonderful girls with Tatiana, my dad was always so excited when my grandpa would make the trip out to visit them which was quite often since they were lucky to be close in distance. I am forever grateful for his presence during this time in my dad’s life and even more so that my wonderful sisters got a chance to know him. I wish I could be there to celebrate Grandpa Al today but I am sending all my love and hugs from California. Thank you Grandpa, you will be so missed. I love you.

Posted by Nia Diener on March 25, 2024

Al has been a cherished friend for more than 30 years. At IBM he stood out from the rest in his talent as a manager, and his advice helped me find my career there and navigate it well after he had retired. I knew by his intelligence and kind spirit and our common interests that we would be friends. He joined my book group and we found out we tended to disagree about our interpretations of the stories we read. Sharing his love of nature was the inspiration for many memorable “field trips” together: a ride in his folding boat on the Skokie Lagoons, where I saw my first kingfisher; a walk to edge of the great blue heron rookery, where I saw them bringing sticks to build their nests and fish to feed the youngsters; spring flower walks in woods of the Forest Preserve that I would never have visited otherwise, because he knew them all. Al loved a good thunderstorm--his move downstate brought the advantage of watching lightning across empty flat prairies. His August birthday became the occasion for us to go to the Illinois State Fair and to watch the Perseid meteor showers in an unlit side road between cornfields. In other field trips he helped me trace my dad’s family homes in Cornland, Mode, and Shelbyville, and he located my grandparents’ graves in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. At Christmas he took me to Millikin’s Vespers. He was my personal weatherman and I could always go to him for advice on practical problems that weren’t my strong suits, like cars and electricity and houses. His help and advice have been invaluable in the long task of maintaining and emptying my mother’s house in northern Illinois. My husband and I will be forever grateful for his generosity and giving of himself. I am also thankful beyond words that I was able to spend some time with him in his last two months. My thoughts are with his family today in Dunkirk. I will hold my memories of him forever and miss him every day.

Posted by Alice Dunlap-Kraft on March 25, 2024

Al was always so kind to me and my husband, Steve, so enjoyed a visit with him several years ago on a visit to Illinois. Quick witted and full of stories. He was a stable influence to my brother, a great support to my sister-in-law, his sister Anne and his nephew Anthony. You are all together now.

Posted by Sue Ann Pflum on March 23, 2024

My Brother Al Al was a gentle person A man of many Talents Knew how to listen A man of quiet words and of course,"gave the look" He had the "look"of John Wayne..Remember??? Be at peace Al-Rest your eyes Yes, he had the "look" to give us the "look" when we arrive! He did not say much..but you knew Aunt Mimi

Posted by Mary (Mimi) Diener on March 22, 2024

I shall miss my brother every day. He has always been there for me; from our days growing up in Dunkirk to so many events as adults.. Al was 12 years my senior, so he found it necessary to make sure I followed his advice and wisdom. I usually did. Since moving back to Indiana in 2014, Al and I have had lunch about every 3 weeks. Covington, Brownsburg, Danville, Champaign. Decatur, Crawfordsville. We found good eats in all these Towns. Bob Evans was our go to place the last 12 months. We talked sports, our kids and their families, religion, politics, the economy, home repairs, car repairs, and so on. Al came to my home while I was in the hospital having had a quadruple by-pass and rewired a series of lights,. fixed some plumbing issues, and helped Jean with our dog. That is what a big brother does!Finally, Al helped to rekindle my love of Nature. I so enjoyed his stories of work on the Chicago River, and then his work in the Decatur area with the lake and Conservatory in that County. Al obtained his Master Naturalist designation in the last 5 years. Rest in Peace Bro. You shall be missed by all those you touched. Love Mike

Posted by Mike Diener on March 22, 2024

I will forever be grateful to Uncle Al for his kindness to my late mother (and his big sister), Anne. Uncle Al was there for my mom in ways both big and small during the last years of her life, offering her friendship and support, and managing to (literally) restore her faith in both humanity and in herself. He was a saint on earth -- giving very selflessly to her and to our family. I am so sorry that he is gone. His passing leaves a great big void. But I take some comfort in knowing the siblings -- Uncle Al and my mom -- are together again. Thank you for everything, Uncle Al. You will be missed. --Mary Pflum Peterson (Al Diener's niece)

Posted by Mary Pflum Peterson on March 21, 2024

I will miss my dear brother. We were only one year apart and had fun as children playing softball, splashing in the pond, & endless yard work ! I was very proud of his many achievements as an adult. He was very kind to his 4 siblings. He is now in Heaven with his parents & 2 siblings. His memory will be in my heart forever.

Posted by Kathleen Diener Boland on March 21, 2024

Jen and family, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. He always had a smile for me when I saw him. We just spoke about his days doing Zumba and Pilates at the DISC with a group of us and my daughter Brooke was the instructor. His comment was she was a very good teacher. May he have peace now.

Posted by Sue and John Allen on March 19, 2024