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Thomas Diehl
THOMAS ALBERT DIEHL
Iowa City
Thomas Diehl, born in Des Moines, Iowa, on Aug. 12, 1951, died in Iowa City, Iowa, on May 7, 2017, after a brief illness.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife and soulmate of 45 years, Pamela Roberts; his cherished daughter, Alisa Diehl (husband Maurice Payne), and new grandson, Leo; his three siblings, John (Karyn), Sue (Howard) and Jim (Rob); his nephew, Justin, and niece, Andrea; aunts; many cousins; and an untold number of friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Miriam Diehl.
Tom was a very invested father, who always took time to get to know Alisa's friends as his own, and he was enthusiastic about his family and ever-expanding circle of friends.
Tom was a 1980 graduate of the University of Iowa (Phi Beta Kappa), with a degree in Spanish and certificate in Latin American Studies. He graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1983. Tom's professional career included a clerkship with the United States District Court, Northern District of Iowa, six years in private practice and 24 years as a public defender. He devoted his professional career to the art of trial advocacy (Mason Ladd Inn of Court) and the furtherance of justice. Tom's life was characterized by his passionate commitment to fairness and equity.
Tom and Pam's travels to Guatemala and Mexico in their early adult life produced Tom's lifelong interest in language, foreign culture, archaeology and history. He was a voracious reader, lover of music and an effusive storyteller. Those in his life could attest to his legendary stories being told numerous, numerous times. Tom was an average cribbage player, recognizing his limitations, but would never turn down a game.
Please join us in celebrating Tom's life with a time of remembrance on Saturday, May 20, at 4 p.m. at the Ned Ashton House, 820 Park Rd., Iowa City (additional parking on Normandy Drive). Reception to follow.
Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Iowa City Public Library or Iowa Legal Aid Foundation.
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