School board pays tribute to the late Bob Diebel

Rainbow District School Board trustees paid tribute to the late Bob Diebel at their regular board meeting April 19, which was held at Assignack Public School in Manitowaning.

The former director of the Espanola Board of Education passed away April 2. 

He was praised at the meeting as a great mentor and role model, who made an immense contribution to public education and the community that he served.

“Bob Diebel was a professional engineer for Inco in Levack and was on the local school board when he discovered his passion for education,” Jean Hanson, the school board's director of education, said in a press relase.

“Despite having three young children at home, he chose to get his teaching certificate.”

Diebel taught senior Science and Mathematics at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School from 1961 to 1964 and also served as vice-principal. He transferred to Levack District High School in 1964 as principal. He liked to keep a foot in the classroom and, during his years as an administrator in Levack, he always scheduled himself into a class as a teacher.

Diebel held that position until 1969 when he became the first director of education with the new Espanola Board of Education. He served as director until his retirement in 1988 – 20 years in this senior leadership role.

“Mr. Diebel has been described as an extraordinary man of great character who was well-respected and admired by those who had the opportunity to work with him,” Hanson said. “Our long-time Trustee for the Espanola area, Jeanna Miller, had the privilege of working with Mr. Diebel for many years. An innovative educator, he inspired students to be their very best by inspiring all staff members to offer their very best in support of student success. Mr. Diebel epitomized excellence. He was an exceptional mentor and role model.”

Diebel enabled educators to make learning relevant, embraced dynamic teaching opportunities, encouraged participation in co-curricular activities, introduced leading edge technology in schools, developed strong partnerships with the community and ensured all students could realize their full potential through quality programming, including an emphasis on special education.

“Throughout his tenure, Bob Diebel influenced hundreds of educators who, in the process, influenced thousands of students and made our schools in Espanola second to none,” Hanson added. “He was also a constant role model for his family.”

The family includes five children - David (wife Brenda) of Thunder Bay, Michael (wife Janette) of Kincardine, Patrick (wife Janet) of Guelph, Peter (wife Evelyn) of Nairn Centre, and John (wife Linda) of Espanola. John Diebel is a special education program leader at Espanola High School and wife Lin Diebel is a teacher at A. B. Ellis Public School.

The family also includes 14 grandchildren - Sarah, Chris, Doug, Michelle, Katrina, Will, Mary-Anne, Daniel, Keith, Robbie, Sebastian, Simon, Jackson and Fred. Granddaughter Mary-Anne Diebel served as a student trustee with the Rainbow District School Board in 2005-2006.