BELLINGHAM, WA – (MyBellinghamNow.com) Robert or “Bob” Diehl of Bellingham’s Diehl Ford Company and Western Washington University (WWU) Hall of Famer passed away on Sunday from an apparent heart attack at the age of 84.

WWU Historian Paul Madison says Diehl was involved with various boards, clubs, foundations and programs in Whatcom County.

Diehl was at one point president of the YMCA and Bellingham Rotary Club. He was the third-generation president of the dealership and recipient of the 2004 Whatcom County Business Lifetime Achievement Award. Diehl was also named the 2007 “Dealer of the Year.”

In addition to the Bellingham Rotary Club and the YMCA, Diehl was a member of the Board of Directors for St. Luke’s/St. Joseph’s Hospital from 1982 to 2006. He also served on the Mount Baker Council, Director of the Horizon Bank Board, The Western Foundation, Western’s Presidents Club and was involved in the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and DARE program. Image courtesy of WWU Historian Paul Madison.

A decorated and life-long rower, Diehl was the men’s rowing coach for WWU from 1970 to 1976, whose varsity teams won the LaFramboise Cup title four years in a row. Two of the rowers he coached – Chuck Rutherford and Darrell Vruegdenhil – went on to compete in the Olympics. Diehl also won gold medals in masters rowing at U.S. National, Canadian National and World Master Games.

WWU’s rowing team with Coach Bob Diehl off to the right with a megaphone. Image courtesy of Paul Madison.

Diehl is survived by Conni, his wife of 47 years, and by Mike, his son from a previous marriage. Diehl also has four grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life ceremony announcement is forthcoming.

Some of the rowers that Diehl coached in the early 1970s. Image courtesy of Paul Madison.
Coach Diehl uses a megaphone while dressed in a raincoat. Image courtesy of Paul Madison.
Photo with a typed caption that reads: “Diehl gets shirt from University of Washington Coach Dick Erickson.” Image courtesy of Paul Madison.