John Henry Dieken

TORRANCE, Calif. –– John Dieken, 62, former scouting coordinator for the California-Pacific Annual Conference died Jan. 22, 2011.

Born in Hartford, S.D., Dieken attended Hartford High School and Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1968 and retired as a major in 1993 after serving in both Vietnam and Desert Shield. He received a B.S. degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1976.

An active member of UM Men, Dieken helped build Habitat for Humanity homes and served the Ronald McDonald House.

From 2000 to 2010, he served as senior district executive with the Los Angeles Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Larry Coppock, national scouting director for the General Commission on UM Men, says Dieken was one of the presenters at the first Philmont Scouting Workshop in 1997. “John helped us shape the content and the form of the workshop that is used today,” said Coppock.

“John and I were together when we Evan Hunsberger presented his Eagle Scout project – Reprinting Strength for Service to God and Country. We both listened to this seemingly impossible project by a 13-year-old Life Scout.”

“I remember john as a big hearted burly man with booming voice and an infectious smile,” said Coppock. “He will be missed by his family and friends.”

He is survived by his wife, Laura, daughter, Sharon Wright, and son, Paul.