Frederick MacLaurin "Fred" Dierks
Marriages
Louise Lane Galbraith - May 2, 1942
Obituaries
Steamboat Today - May 6, 2011
Frederick MacLaurin Dierks, 90, died April 30, 2011, in Mercy Hospital in Hot Springs, Ark.
His life was celebrated at 1:30 p.m. May 5 at the First Presbyterian Church, 213 Whittington Ave., in Hot Springs. A gathering of friends and family in the Fellowship Hall followed the celebration.
Fred Dierks was born in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 24, 1920. After graduating from the Culver Military Academy in 1938, he attended college at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, becoming its president in 1941. He graduated in 1942 with a bachelor’s degree in business and engineering administration.
He fell in love with Louise Lane Galbraith in Kansas City, and they married at her home in Glencoe, Ill., on May 2, 1942. During World War II, they moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked in the Naval Research Laboratory as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. Fred was involved in design and production of aircraft, radar countermeasures, submarine communication and antennas.
Fred and Louise then moved back to Kansas City, Mo., so he could begin a career in the family business, Dierks Lumber & Coal.
In 1946, he and the family moved to Hot Springs, Ark. The family opened a new corporate headquarters for the company in 1956. During this time, Fred was involved in many facets of managing and expanding the lines of business. An interest in all things technological and the contributions they make to society was his main focus and passion.
He became heavily vested in civic organizations, including the Arkansas Parks and Forestry Commission board of directors, Arkansas Arts Center, the Arkansas University Advisory Board, the University of Arkansas Forestry School, Monticello Advisory Board, the Hot Springs Airport Commission, Hot Springs and Garland County industrial development commissions, the Hot Springs Arts Council, on which he served as president, and others.
In 1965, Fred became president of Dierks Forests Inc., succeeding his father.
In 1969, Dierks Forests Inc., with land holdings of 1.8 million acres and many production facilities, was purchased by Weyerhaeuser Corp., enlarging it to the largest lumber company in the United States.
In 1970, Fred retired and engaged in private investment.
During this time, he began making numerous contributions to nonprofit organizations.
He contributed to the Caddo and Garland County councils of the Boy Scouts of America, the National Park Community College of Nursing, University of Arkansas Institute for Medical Science Psychiatric Research, Arkansas Arts Center, St. Joseph Mercy Health Foundation and Garvin Gardens, among others.
In 1974, Fred and Louise, following their appreciation of nature, healthy living and family, went to Steamboat Springs, where they ultimately built a retirement home.
Fred’s philanthropic efforts expanded to the Yampa Valley Medical Center and Strings in the Mountains.
He also developed an active interest in national societal issues by supporting organizations he thought made the most difference, including Planned Parenthood, The Hoover Institute and Washington Legal Foundation.
He is survived by his lifelong wife, Louise Galbraith Dierks; daughters Kathryn Greene, Constance Whitney and Suzanne Hooper; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the National Park Community College of Nursing in Hot Springs, Ark.
Guests can register at www.caruth-hale.com.
