Lasting Memories

Marianne Dieckmann
July 21, 1926-Jan. 23, 2012
Palo Alto, California

Marianne Dieckmann, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, died at her home on Jan. 23.

She had battled breast cancer for 12 years, but when treatments failed, she accepted death with dignity and grace. Her beloved cat Melody, Dagmar Henle-Dieckmann and niece Katharina Dieckmann, who had traveled from Europe, were at her bedside. In the last year, she shared precious time with her far-flung family, who flew in from Germany and France: nephews Jan and Kai; niece Katharina; niece-in-law Kirsten; grandnephews Clément; David, Max and Vincent; and grandnieces Lina, Nele and Sophie.

Marianne was born in 1926 in Berlin to Frieda and Max Dieckmann, a physician. Her brother Hans, older by 5 years, a physician and psychoanalyst, died in 2005. As a child, Marianne devoured every novel German author Karl May ever wrote about the American Old West.

As a teenager, she endured the hardships of World War II, which forced her to abandon dreams of becoming a physician. But she kept her dreams of Karl May's America and moved there seeking work in medical research, eventually joining Dr. Paul Berg's research group at Washington University in 1958, one year before the group moved to Stanford.

As one of the founders of the Stanford Biochemistry Department, her commitment and organizational skills helped establish the department as a world leader in biomedical research. She did experiments that helped earn Professor Paul Berg the 1980 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Though never married, she was mother to many, showing newly arrived students and their families how to settle into life in Palo Alto. Forcefully, but lovingly, she taught them the ethos and discipline required of a responsible and thoughtful scientist. She knew how best to help students, reinforcing their confidence after mini-triumphs and providing solace in times of trouble. Those far from home during the holidays could count on German style Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at her home.

Marianne loved sharing her passions for music, reading, and bird watching, and delighted in hosting Kaffeeklatsch on her back patio for her many friends. She was proud of her American citizenship, and after retiring from laboratory work in 1998, she became a volunteer leader at the Stanford Bechtel International Center, co-chairing the English-in-Action program and teaching her adopted language to students and their spouses. To honor her contributions, the Community Committee for International Students (CCIS) established the "Marianne Dieckmann Award" as part of the Spouse Education Fund.

Marianne Dieckmann's selfless and caring personality earned her the love and devotion from all who knew her. As one of her final wishes, Marianne requested that in lieu of flowers, friends and family should donate to their own favorite charities. She will always be in our hearts and minds. A Memorial Service will be held for her in early March.