Stanley L. Diesch

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Diesch, Stanley L. DVM, MPH Professor Emeritus University of MN, College of Veterinary Medicine Age 91, of Roseville, Stan died at home surrounded by his beloved wife Darlene of nearly 61 years; two daughters Lauren (Mike) Falkner, Fargo and Stephanie (Rick) Wagner, rural Taylors Falls. Grandchildren: John (Blythe) Riske and great-grandson, August, Oakland CA; Kelly Riske, Fargo; USAF Staff Sgt. Andrew (Dr Laura) Wagner, Sauk City, WI; and Steven (fiancé Libby Storlie) Wagner, Forest Lake. Two step-grandsons, Eric and Jon Falkner and their families. Survived by his sister, Lucille (Erling) Lee, of rural Zumbro Falls MN and his nieces and nephews, and by his sister-in-law Milly Neidt Diesch. Preceeded in death by his parents, John and Emma (Erickson) Diesch and recently his brother Gordon. Stan was born on May 16, 1925 at Blooming Prairie MN and raised on the family farm. He graduated from Blooming Prairie High School, salutatorian, in 1943. Before beginning college he spent a year in Los Angeles working at Douglas Aircraft. He began Luther College, Decorah, IA, after two years, transferred to the University of Minnesota, College of Agriculture. He received his BS degree with distinction in Animal Industry and Agricultural Economics, '51. He was a proud member of the Farmhouse Fraternity and is known for playing in his fraternity band around campus. He taught one year in Belle Plaine, MN teaching Veteran's Agriculture, returned to the U of M to attend the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) graduating in 1956. Following graduation he married Darlene Witty in Noonan ND. They moved to Freeport, IL where Stan was employed by a mixed veterinary practice, moving within year to Winthrop, IA where he purchased the swine, beef and dairy cattle practice. Stan was active in the community, having served on its school board, member of the Winthrop Lions Club and he was one of three businessmen who developed the Buffalo Creek Golf Course and Country Club on donated farmland. In 1962, he returned to the U of MN where he received a Masters in Public Health in 1963. Back to IA where he was an assistant professor at the Medical School of the University of Iowa, Iowa City, at its Institute for Agricultural Medicine. This was the beginning of his long and illustrious career in veterinary public health, with research, teaching, and writing. After three years he joined the faculty of the U of MN, College of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Public Health in 1966, where he worked for over 30 years. He was a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventative Medicine. He also co-built and operated the small animal Apache Animal Hospital in NE Minneapolis. Stan has served university, state, national, and international organizations and committees in many capacities and received many honors. He received the Public Service Award from both his state and national veterinary associations, and the International Veterinary Congress Prize from the American Veterinary Medical Association. He served as a consultant to the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization in animal/human related diseases, and in several developing countries, as representative of the University of Minnesota. He served as Director of International Programs for the College of Veterinary Medicine for 10 years. He was a leader in the human-animal bond movement that developed for nursing homes, hospitals, etc. Among his awards, in 2014 Stan was honored by his high school with the Distinguished Service Award from the Blooming Prairie High School Education Foundation. It was a great honor in 2015 to receive the Siehl Prize Award for Excellence in Agriculture from the College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences, U of MN. Dr. Diesch was a leader in the Minnesota-Uruguay Partners of the Americas program, a Western Hemisphere NGO, serving as president and chairman of the board for many years. He was asked by the president of the country of Uruguay to serve as Honorary Consul in Minnesota, which he served for 6 years, and became and remained a member of the Minnesota Consular Corps. His many accomplishes with Partners of the Americas, along with his wife Darlene, resulted in their receiving a joint award, "The Lifetime Achievement Award" from Partners of the Americas, Washington, DC, presented at an international meeting in Quito, Ecuador in 2002. He served many years as a board member, then president for 3 years of the International Society for Animal Hygiene, initially a western and eastern European organization, which Dr. Diesch further developed in the U.S., Mexico and So. America. His career was an important part of his life, but he lived life to the fullest with his family and friends. He was a man of God, his faith was built on the solid rock. His love of the outdoors with projects at his Chisago County land where he developed conservation programs and reclaimed wetlands. He received the Chisago Co Conservationist of the Year award as a result his projects. In younger years he enjoyed camping with his wife and daughters. He had many hobbies, including wine making, participating in the MN State Fair wine competition. He was a sportsman, enjoying the outdoors. He enjoyed music of all kinds, particularly enjoyed playing his concertina, to the enjoyment and amusement of family and friends. He had a unique sense of humor. Stan's Funeral Service will be held 11 am Saturday, May 20 at ROSEVILLE LUTHERAN CHURCH (1215 Roselawn Ave., Roseville) with visitation beginning at 10 am. Interment Roselawn Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the following: Univ of MN Foundation, (for Veterinary Public Health programs); MN Veterinary Medical Assoc. (MVMA) Foundation (for student scholarships); Roseville Lutheran Church Foundation, Farmhouse Fraternity, or personal choice. Roseville Memorial Chapel 651-631-2727

Published on May 14, 2017