Former UNA-NY Chapter President Passes Away


January 7, 2015

RichardDeisingRichard Diesing, former UNA-NY Chapter President, passed away on Tuesday December 16, 2014. Born in Springfield, IL, May 7, 1925, he passed away peacefully from Alzheimer’s at Jewish Home Lifecare, Manhattan. Educated at Concordia Lutheran High School, St. Paul, MN; Concordia Lutheran Seminary, St. Louis; University of Chicago.

Predeceased by parents, Charlotte and Frederick C. Diesing, and brother Edward F. Diesing, all of St. Paul. He is survived by his sister Lois R. Diesing of Arlington, MA and Terrence McCafferty, his longtime friend and loyal caregiver in Richard’s last years. Richard was the Director of Hudson Neighborhood Conservation Corp and a Social Worker at Volunteers Of America for many years. In 1946 Richard worked for Church World Services delivering livestock to Poland and Germany as part of war relief. He eventually became an original volunteer to the UN Relief and Rehabilitation Administration that was created in the wake of WWII. It was here that he biked around Europe to observe the destruction for himself.

A natural adventurer, Richard hitchhiked across the United States several times and once on a merchant marine ship travelling to Japan in 1947. It was these experiences that led him to become an advocate for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, Planned Parenthood, as well as the United Nations organizations. He was an active member of the United Nations Association of New York and the Southern New York Division for many years. He served as President of the New York Chapter from 1994 through 1996 until he was slowed by illness. One of his signature achievements was to launch an advocacy program which lead one of the first chapter visits to Capital Hill after the 1994 congressional elections. Richard was a Bach and classical music devotee and devoted his life to others.

If you wish to pay respects, donations may be made to:

Volunteers of America – Greater New York
340 West 85th street
NY, NY 10024
“Schon, Schlafen, Richard”