William F.
”
Deke
”
Dieck died suddenly Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004 while giving a flying
lesson near the Hollister Airport. He was 61.
William F. Dieck
William F. “Deke” Dieck died suddenly Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004 while giving a flying lesson near the Hollister Airport. He was 61.
Deke was born in Peoria, Ill. on Aug. 20, 1942, the oldest of six children. His passion and dreams for flying began at an early age. Eager to learn to fly, he entered the United States Air Force after graduating from high school.
His accomplishments in the Air Force led him to a career in electronics. Several years later, Deke became a licensed general aviation pilot and later a flight instructor.
He was an active member of numerous aviation associations: United States Ultralight Association in both Virginia and California; Experimental Aircraft Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; and the Hollister Airmen’s Association.
Deke was a supporter and contributor to several different groups within the EAA, Experimenters, Homebuilders, Antiques and was a “Young Eagle Flight Leader” introducing children age 6-18 to the experience of flight for the very first time.
Following a long career in computer electronics with Amdahl Corporation, Deke was appointed executive director of the Wings of History Museum in San Martin, leading the preservation of aviation history and providing leadership and inspiration to young children exploring flight.
He is survived by his wife Laurie Dineen Dieck; sons William “Billy” Dieck and Brett Michael Dieck; step-children Lise Dineen McCarthy, Michael Dineen and Amy Dineen; siblings Michael John Dieck, Marilyn Betterton, Susanne Robb and Elizabeth “Betty” Mitchell; and seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents William and Josephine Marie Dieck and youngest sister Leila D. Pettigrew.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 at Lima Family Mortuary, 466 No. Winchester Blvd. in Santa Clara. Deke’s final resting place will be in San Jose.
Donations may be made to Alliance for Lupus Research, 28 W. 44 Street, Suite 1217, New York, N.Y., 10036, 212-218-2840.
