Warren Diederich

Warren Diederich, 84, of Fargo, ND, died Saturday, December 6, 2008 at his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Warren B. Diederich was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on February 10, 1924 to Leona H. and Bernard Diederich. Warren attended elementary school in Fergus Falls until he moved with his parents to Fargo while in the 4th grade. Warren graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1942. He enrolled at NDAC in the fall of 1942 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps after completing his first term. He was sent to the University of Michigan and then to pre-flight school in Santa Ana, California; to Davis-Monthan Field in Tucson; and to Lake Field in Phoenix for this training. He was assigned to the 385th Bomber Group of the 8th Air Force in England as a pilot of a B-17. He flew 35 missions during World War II and was discharged in November 1945. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 7 clusters, Presidential Citation, and European Theater Medal with 6 battle stars. He returned to NDAC (under the G.I. Bill) and graduated in 1950 with a degree in architecture. Warren married Irene Gunvaldsen in 1946. Warren and Irene are the parents of four children, Michael (Mary), Laura Carley (Cole), Donn (Kirsten) and Paul (Ellen), all of Fargo. Grandchildren, Lisa, Ryan Monica, Brittany, Anna, Erick Diederich, Sean, Jay and Marcus Carney; great-granddaughter, Lily. Warren and Irene founded Industrial Builders, Inc. in 1953 and started to build bridges, dams, and highway projects. Warren is a Lifetime Member of the Associated General Contractors of America. He was President of the ND Chapter, National Chairman of the Highway Division, Chairman of the Bureau of Public Roads, and served as National Treasurer in 1992. He was honored for his work on highway legislation that benefited North Dakota and its allotment of the Federal Highway Trust Fund in 1981. He was selected for the North Dakota Highway Hall of Fame in 1987. He was a committee member and the Chairman of the National Academy of Science Highway Research. In 1990, he was awarded the C.I.T. Group / Industrial Financing “Rebuilding America” Award in recognition of his contributions to the infrastructure of the United States. He was a member of the Consulting Constructors Council to benefit Construction Education since 1970. He was also a Life Honorary Director of TRIP, a National Transportation Research Group. Warren served on the NDSU Research and Development Committee since its inception, having been appointed to the original committee by Dr. Laurel Loftsgard. Warren was elected to serve on NDSU’s Foundation Board in 1981. He was chairman of the ‘SU 75 Fund Drive in the late 60’s when NDSU launched its first major fundraising effort. The Fargo-Moorhead Division goal of one million dollars was exceeded in record time. The overall campaign of” SU 75” was four million. In 1982 Warren and Irene launched a fundraising auction in conjunction with the 1982 Homecoming festivities called the “Bison Bidders Bowl”. This has become a successful event and has raised over 3.5 million dollars since its inception. Warren was named an NDSU Honored Alumni in 1983 and received the Alumni Achievement Award in 1985. Warren was President of the NDSU Foundation in 1986-87. In May of 1990, Warren was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science Degree from NDSU in recognition of his contributions to his industry and the University, in October he was the first recipient of the NDSU Development Foundation Award. In 1992, in St. Louis, MO Warren received the Mid America District Volunteer of the Year Award. CASE, a six state district council recognized him for his advancement and support of education. Warren was part of NDSU’s ambitious campaign to raise 20 million dollars in 1994, a goal that was exceeded by seven million dollars. The new Alumni Center, completed in 1