William Robert Bob"" Diehl

William Robert ""Bob"" Diehl, 88, of Rocky Hill, husband of Betty (Beaulier) Diehl, died Saturday (August 14, 2010) at his residence in Rocky Hill. Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late William Russell Diehl and Florence (Pfannenstein) Diehl and lived in Haddam for 42 years prior to moving to Rocky Hill 10 years ago. He was predeceased by his first wife, Helen Ader. Bob was a graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia. He served in different executive positions at Springborn Labratories in Enfield as well as having been associated with Emhart and Rowland Products, retiring in 1986. Bob was a U.S. Army/Air Force veteran having served during World War II. He achieved the rank of First Lieutenant in the position of First Navigator, flew 45 missions and received a Distinguished Flying Cross. Bob was a member of the Haddam School Board, the Board of Tax Review, the Goodspeed Guild, the Haddam Historical Society and was the author of several patents. Besides his wife of 23 years, Betty Jane Diehl, he is survived by a son; Mark William Diehl and his wife Nancy of Middletown, CT; a daughter, Diane Doyle and her husband ""Ro"" of West Nyack, NY; three step children, step son Michael Casey and his wife Janet of Washington, NC; two step daughters, Sheila Jay and her husband Kenneth of Middlefield, CT and Jayne Capilos and her husband Kevin of Davie, FL; a sister, Betty Titus of Valejo, CA; four grandchildren, Katie Diehl, Valerie Diehl, Ryan Doyle and Lauren Strauss and her husband Richard; six step grandchildren, Tara Jay, Alicia Evans and her husband Stephen, Kristen St. Amand, Stacey Capilos, Shannon Casey and Mia Hawlk and her husband David; four great grandchildren, Hannah, Emma, Samantha and Madison. The funeral service with full military honors will be Wednesday (August 18, 2010) at 11 a.m at the First Church of Christ 250 Main Street, Wethersfield. Burial will be private. The family will receive relatives and friends TODAY from 4-7 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd. Wethersfield. Memorial contributions may be made to First Church or to VNA Healthcare Hospice, 103 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105-1240. For on-line expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.