Dennis A. Diederich

Dennis A. Diederich died on August 29, 2020. He was born on July 11, 1936 in Greenleaf, Kansas. He grew up on the family farm with two brothers and seven sisters, and his love for farming and family remained a constant. He attended college at Benedictine in Atchison, Kansas where he met the love of his life, Alice. Denny attended the St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed his residency in nephrology at the University of Kansas. Dr. Diederich joined the KU Department of Internal Medicine in 1967. Serving as the Medical Director of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Denny helped establish the hemodialysis and Kidney and Pancreas Transplant program at KUMC. His leadership was responsible for the enormous success of the program and he oversaw over 2000 kidney and pancreas transplants. He and his wife Alice also conducted pioneering research that led to new treatments for Sickle Cell Anemia.

Denny was a tireless advocate for patients with kidney disease and an inspiring teacher and mentor for generations of students, residents, fellows and junior faculty. Observing the transformation of a student into an outstanding, caring, bright physician was one of his greatest joys. To that end, Denny and Alice established an endowment fund to further enhance medical education of future students and residents. Dr. Diederich received countless professional honors throughout his long career in medicine. However, his true legacy is in the small, quiet, and personable moments that he shared with so many. Moments with his patients at their darkest times, moments of joy and sorrow with his brothers and sisters, and moments of tenderness with his beautiful wife, Alice. He was loved and respected by so many because of who he was, not just what he accomplished. If the 1000s of patients and trainees and colleagues that Denny worked with could say one thing it would be that, "You changed our lives."

Denny was a brilliant doctor, gifted listener, and devoted teacher; but one of his biggest gifts was putting people at ease. He was as comfortable in his lab coat as he was in his overalls, and he cherished his relationships with his patients, co-workers and family members. Denny could tell a story like no one else, and he was a master at connecting with people. He and his wife Alice were married for 61 years, and their devotion and deep love for one another was visible until the very end. They worked together, traveled together, and built a wonderful life together in Overland Park.

Denny is preceded in death by his parents, Benedict and Vivian Diederich and his sister, Colette Huerter. He leaves behind his loving wife, Alice; as well as siblings, Dean (Mary Ellen) Diederich, Jeanine (Denny) Hummell, Marcia (Nelson) Newcomer, Carol (Ray) Lyon, Paul (Sherry) Diederich, Bernadette (Rich) Cole, Marilyn (Ben) Kramer, and Dee (Larry) Wieden.

Due to covid-19, funeral services will remain private. In lieu of flowers, please contact McGilley & Hoge Johnson County Memorial Chapel for the families choice of memorial donations.

www.mcgilleyhoge.com