Jack L. Diederich

Jack Diederich, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away suddenly on Saturday November 16, 2024, at his residence at Longwood. He was 87.

Jack will be missed by wife, Joan (Hottes) Diederich, his sister Jill (Diederich) Heider, his daughters Gretchen Green, Katherine Vogel, and Ann Diederich, his nephews Peter Daniel John and Aaron, and friends from all of the places where he graced us with his presence. His grandchildren Gannon, Gibson Jack and Luke will feel their “Papa Jack’s” absence deeply. He is preceded in death by his parents Laverne (Koehler) and Roy John Diederich, his father-in-law Carl Hottes and mother-in-law Clara Hottes.

Jack was born and raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where he attended Glenbard High School.  After earning his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University Illinois, he met Joan, his wife of 63 years and began his career at Alcoa. Jack emerged as a leader in the company and quickly rose to high-level management while earning his M.B.A at the University of Southern California and his M.S. at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. While at Alcoa, Jack worked in a variety of sales and marketing roles before becoming the V.P. of Corporate Planning. As the Managing Director of Alcoa of Australia, he negotiated with corporate leaders and governments in Australia, Japan, Korea and China to fund the construction of one of the world’s largest smelters in Portland, Victoria. Jack’s finished his 37-year tenure at Alcoa as the Executive Vice President and Chairman’s Council. As a key player in the aluminum business, he left his mark in Australia, Bahrain, China, Jamaica, Brazil, Suriname, Norway, Guinée and the United States.

Jack served on numerous national and local committees and boards, including the board of Continental Mills, BNY Mellon Funds, U.S. Filter, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Rothman Partners Architects, and Shadyside Hospital. As an avid tennis and squash player and golfer, he also enjoyed his terms on the boards of the Pittsburgh Golf and Fox Chapel Golf clubs. Shortly after his move to Longwood, he became the representative of the Brookwood Community in Longwoods’ Residents’ Council.

A lover of Seinfeld, the arts and nature, as well as a believer in the access to opportunities for all, Jack enthusiastically supported the Pittsburgh Promise, The Neighborhood Academy, the Carnegie and Frick museums, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, River Life, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Pittsburgh and the East End Cooperative Ministry.

More than all of his accomplishments, Jack will be remembered for his ability to connect with those who crossed his path in Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, Pittsburgh, Melbourne and San Miguel de Allende through his warm and understated presence, his incomparable sense of humor and his empathetic listening. 

A celebration of life event will be held at the Pittsburgh Golf Club on Friday, December 13, at 5:30pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation in his name to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy or the Neighborhood Academy. 

Arrangements by John A. Freyvogel, Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com)

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