Herman Diers, a wise and compassionate man of exceptional grace and generosity, a community builder committed to peace and an end to hunger, died March 7, 2026. He was 97.
Born in Hampton and raised in Lutheran parsonages across eastern Iowa, Herman earned degrees from Wartburg College (BA), Wartburg Seminary (MDiv), Northwestern (MA), and Berkeley (PhD), and honorary degrees from Dana and Wartburg Colleges.
On Dec. 28, 1950, he married Dorothy Lange. They first lived in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, to found Grace Lutheran Church. In 1959, they moved to Waverly, where they both worked at Wartburg College until 1993, with Herman serving as chaplain for 10 years and then as a professor teaching religion and humanities.
At Wartburg, Herman was an innovative educator with a passion for promoting experiential learning, critical thinking, and cross-cultural experiences. He led “Venture Education,” placing students in international settings; he developed “Chrysalis,” a communal living/learning program; he valued team-teaching and student initiative. Herman was a leader in organizing Lutheran college educators in peace education, and celebrated multi-cultural gifts through campus events such as “Ujamaa Week” and “Hunger Awareness Week.”
For years, Herman was the organizer and narrator for “Christmas at Wartburg,” working in tandem with the music department. After one performance, a young girl asked if Herman’s voice was the voice of God. Her mother’s reply: “Pretty close.”
Herman didn’t just teach peace and justice, he acted on it. Although he made college and church leaders and many community members uncomfortable, he campaigned for an end to the Vietnam War and a freeze on nuclear weapons. Herman was active in Waverly’s Human Relations Association, welcoming people of color and advocating for fair housing. At the same time, he had a remarkable ability to maintain civil conversations with those who disagreed.
Herman and Dorothy provided a loving and dynamic home for their five children, while also welcoming others to live with them-e.g. a refugee from Vietnam, foster teenagers, an alienated teenager from Mexico, an adult student from Tanzania, college students, etc. with most staying for years! The Diers’ round dinner table was replete with hospitality and lively conversation.
In 1993, they retired to Tacoma to volunteer under Associated Ministries in the Hilltop neighborhood; there listening to, living with, and organizing with a community challenged by limited resources and contending with crime and drug dealers. Ninety-five block groups were established to empower the neighborhood. While the joy and satisfaction of building community were enough, Herman (and Dorothy) received numerous awards, including “The City of Destiny Award” (City of Tacoma), “Humanitarian of the Year” (Franciscans), awards from the NAACP, and the Southwestern Synod of the ELCA. Herman’s image is etched into the facing of the parking garage at St. Joseph’s Hospital as a neighborhood hero.
Herman and Dorothy were extraordinarily generous throughout their lives, sharing abundantly of their gracious and enthusiastic spirit, and also as generous financial supporters of causes that shared their deep commitment to battling hunger locally and globally – organizations such as Bread for the World, Lutheran World Relief, Global Refuge, and Lutheran Community Services, as well as numerous local non-profits.
Herman and Dorothy enjoyed extensive travel across six continents, travel that arose from their curiosity and sense of adventure, but also were trips where they sought to grow in the education: India (Gandhian development theory), Mexico (liberation theology), Nepal (LWR projects), Namibia and South Africa (national liberation movements), Tanzania (church and education connections), etc.
Herman shared with Dorothy a passion for bicycling on the Foothills Trail, around the Hilltop Neighborhood, on long distance rides with their children (including RAGBRAI).
Herman is survived by his brother, Art (Susie); children: Jim (Sarah), Gary (Inanna), Brent (Colleen), Paul (Laurie), Judy (David); five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
Share