Henry C. "Hank" Diener, Jr.

Henry C. “Hank” Diener, Jr., 94, of Hanover, PA, and formerly of Westminster, MD, entered into God's eternal care, Friday, July 21, 2023, at the Homewood at Plum Creek Retirement Community.

Born May 26, 1929, in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of the late Henry C. Sr., and Charlotte C. (Rueckert) Diener.  Hank was the loving husband of the late Patricia R. (Ritchie) Diener with whom he shared 68 years of marriage until her passing on November 18, 2020.

Hank was a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and obtained a B.S. in Electrical Engineering while working his way through Drexel University on its work study program.  He began his career by serving his country proudly in the United States Navy from 1951-1954 as an officer at the Naval Ordnance Plant in Macon, GA during the Korean War. Subsequently, Hank worked for Westinghouse Electrical Corporation at its Buffalo, NY plant. During that time, he earned a Masters of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Buffalo.  Later, Hank worked for IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY before returning to Westinghouse and later Northrup Grumman Mission Systems in Baltimore, MD, where he served as a senior engineer until retiring in 2008.

Hank was an active member of Westminster United Methodist Church until his last years, serving as a Sunday School teacher and in the men’s ministry.  In addition to providing volunteer support at church alongside Pat, Hank was an integral member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, Towson, MD, and served as a past Worshipful Master. In retirement, he volunteered as an advisor with the science department and coached robotics students at South Carroll High School in Sykesville, MD. His professional affiliations included the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. 

While Hank was known among many as a whiz with numbers and mathematics, he was a beloved father and grandfather who adored kids, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Most of all, he was committed to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and lived an honorable life of kindness, integrity, and service to others.

Hank is survived by three daughters, Kathryn D. Widenhouse and husband Brett of Lake Wylie, SC, Cynthia L. Wilmot and husband of Daniel of Hanover, PA, Debra S. Noakes and husband Chris of The Oaks, NSW, Australia (his foreign exchange daughter that lived with the family from 1974-1975), eight grandchildren, Britta E. Anderson and husband Brian, Kurt C. Widenhouse, Philip J. Wilmot and wife Patience, Rachel J. Carson and husband David, Joshua D. Wilmot, Christina N. Von Hagel and husband Luke, Julia C. Wilmot, and Carmi E. Wilmot, 6 great grandchildren, 2 nephews and 1 niece.  In addition to his wife, Hank was preceded in death by one daughter, Nancy E. Diener, and a sister, Charlotte Diener Burkart.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held on Friday, August 11 at 11 AM, at Westminster United Methodist Church.  The family will receive guests prior to the service beginning at 10 AM. Burial at Meadow Ridge Memorial Park, Elkridge, MD, will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Henry’s name to Least of These Ministries at www.leastofthesemin.org, Mt. Moriah Lodge at www.mm116.org, Westminster UMC at www.wumc.org, or to Solidarity Uganda at www.solidarityuganda.org.

The Kenworthy Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 269 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA has been entrusted by the family with the funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.kenworthyfh.com.

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