Robert Norman Diebel passed away peacefully at Kadlec Medical Center on March 13, 2018.  He was born May 15, 1927 in Chino, California, to Clarence Edward and Marie Kathryn Diebel. 

Norman grew up in the Eugene, Oregon. During his junior year in high school, Norman won the Eugene high school Science fair which Sent him to the National High School Science Conference in Washington, DC.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1945, with the war ending he was discharged 3 months later.

He entered the University of Oregon in the Fall on 1945; after completing his undergraduate studies he entered the University of Oregon medical school in the Fall of 1949 and completed 2-years, then went on to finish his Masters Degree in Chemistry during the Fall of 1953. Continuing his education, he spent 6 years at the Ohio Sate University working on his doctoral studies in Cancer research.

He married Olinda Hausch on September 15, 1951. They had their three children while at the Ohio State University. The family moved to Richland, Washington in the Winter of 1959 from Ohio. Norman started his career at Hanford as a research chemist; working for General Electric and Battelle until 1971, then going to work for Atlantic-Richfield, Rockwell and Fluor as an analytical chemist.  He was a Charter member of the American Chemical Society.

Norman retired from Hanford in 1988 as a senior analytical chemist. Following retirement, he volunteered in the community, worked part-time in his son’s auto & towing business, and spent time with his grandchildren/great grandchildren. Norman loved music, reading, and sharing his knowledge on a wide range of topics from genealogy to science.

Norman is survived by his spouse of 66 years, Olinda Hausch Diebel, sons Richard (Noel) Diebel, James Diebel; grandchildren Jennifer Moore, Lori Diebel, Wesley (Erin) Egert, Nik Worrell, Austin (Johanna) Egert, Tara Symons, Rachelle Sonesen and Vivian Diebel; great grandchildren Brandon Moore, Nathan Moore, Kiersten Symons, Kathryn Symons, Blayne Worrell, Isaac Egert, Roxy Sonesen, Ceazer Deluna, Sonja Egert, Aubrey Deluna and Riley Deluna. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Marie Diebel, sister Helen Diebel, brother Gordon Diebel, daughter Linda Worrell, grandsons Bryson Diebel and great grandson Chandler Symons.

A celebration of Norman’s life will be held Sunday, March 18, 2018, at 1:30 pm, Central Church, 1124 Stevens Drive, Richland, WA. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Red Cross or charitable organization of your choice.