Fred Diebel

Fred Diebel, 82, Kansas City, MO died February 5, 2004 at home after a long struggle with cancer. A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm, Monday, February 9, 2004 at Country Club Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice or Country Club Christian Church. Fred was born in Nodaway County, MO on July 19, 1921. He attended Northeast High School and graduated from Kansas City University now known was UMKC. He served four years in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater as pilot of Navy blimps and as navigator in Naval Air Transport. After World War II, he married Rene Sutoris and the has 55 years of happy years of marriage. In 1954, Fred opened his first pipe and tobacco shop on the Country Club Plaza. This year marks the 50th anniversary of that shop, now known as Diebel’s Sportsman’s Gallery. Eventually he owned four pipe shops in the area. He was a former member of the Rockhill Club, the John C. Nomroe Jr. AMerican Legion Post, the Navy League, Associations of Naval Aviators, and the Rotary Club 13. He is survived by his wife, Rene; son, Chris Diebel; son and daughter in law, Curt and Nancy Diebel; daughter and son in law, Joyce and Jim Stawarz. He also leaves four grandchilren, Rick and Emily Stawarz and Spencer and Claire Diebel.