Obituary of Albert James Diehl, Jr.

Lieutenant Colonel A. James Diehl, US Army, retired

August 12, 1927 – November 28, 2023

Albert James “Jim” Diehl, Jr. was born in Riverside, NJ, in August of 1927.  The son of Albert James Diehl, Sr and Monica Diehl (nee Rhoads), he grew up in Wildwood, NJ, and worked alongside his father and brother in a family ice business.  He volunteered to serve in the Merchant Marine during WWII at the age of 17, sailing oilers shuttling between Venezuela and refineries in NJ and TX.  Following WWII, he attended Villanova.  Despite his earlier wartime service, he nonetheless was drafted into the US Army in the first call-up of the Korean Conflict, offered the opportunity to attend Officer Candidate School, and emerged as a 2LT in the infantry. 

In addition to his service in Korea, he had overseas assignments in Japan, South Viet Nam, and Germany, totaling 10 years of his 20 years of service!  His time in the US was shared between professional schools at Fort Benning GA and Fort Leavenworth KS, along with command assignments in Fort Dix NJ and Fort Devens MA, as well as a staff assignment at Ft. McPherson, GA.  He served in Viet Nam as an advisor to the Vietnamese Army from 1964-1965.  He finished his career as the Commanding Officer of both the 21^st Replacement Battalion and Gutleut Kaserne in Frankfurt, Germany.

While stationed in Europe, he took his family on multiple trips to neighboring countries; these trips were the source of many good memories…and quite a few good stories.

Returning to the US, he found employment with Arby’s, eventually managing a chain of restaurants in the greater DC area.  His greatest joy during those 27 years was working with young employees, instilling good work habits and modeling a work ethic that would serve them well later in life.

In his retirement years, he and his wife enjoyed travel and time with family.  As long as they were physically able, they enjoyed annual trips to Florida to visit the Disneys, as well as trips to the beaches of the outer banks of the eastern shore with the Hartmans.  Overseas trips included an Alaska excursion and a trip to Ireland!

Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing Putt-Putt golf with family—where his competitive drive is rumored to have occasionally created curious interpretations of the rules.  He also always enjoyed hearing and telling jokes.  Underlying his love of humor, however, he was a steadfastly faithful protector of—and provider for—his family.  He was a man of his word!

Having fought a series of illnesses over the past 8 months, he was nonetheless alert and independent-- until a recent fall.  He died peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of Nov 28, 2023.

He is survived by his younger brother, Joseph Diehl, of Cape May NJ, and by his three daughters and one son: Rosemary Disney and her husband Jim of Seminole FL, Kathy Hartman and her husband Steve of Herndon, VA, and Evelyn Minutolo of Cherry Hill, NJ.  His son, retired LtCol Jim Diehl USMC and his wife Dawn live in Hamilton, VA.  He has been blessed with 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren!

Preceding him in death were two sisters, Monica Guernsey and Mary jo McPeck.  His beloved wife Rosemary—an ideal Army wife throughout the many years and moves of his career—died five years ago.

A memorial service will be held at Floris United Methodist Church, Herndon, VA, on 7 December at 2 PM.  Burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. 

In lieu of flowers, friends of the family are invited to make contributions to one of his favorite charities, Boy’s Town. (https://www.boystown.org/who-we-are).