Edwin Robert “Eddie” Diner, a lifelong Denverite, passed away peacefully, on Nov. 17, 2020. Rabbi Joseph Black officiated at the Nov. 19 private graveside service at Emanuel Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Born June 25, 1925 in Denver to Charles and Fan Diner, Mr. Diner was a graduate of Teller Elementary, Gove Junior High, East High School and CU.
He was a lifetime member of Temple Emanuel, having been confirmed there in 1940.
He served on the board of the temple as well as president of the Boulder chapter of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity.
A US Navy veteran of the Pacific theater in WW II, Mr. Diner was a radio operator on an LST amphibious landing ship, used for direct beach landings. He served briefly in China assisting in the setup of forward radio operations for an alliance of the US and Chinese governments before being honorably discharged.
After CU, the GI Bill ran out and he started his professional career as a purchasing manager for Jefferson County, then with the Los Angeles-based manufacturers rep firm, Lynn and Brooks.
Mr. Diner eventually returned to Denver to start his own business with his father-in-law Robert Leopold. They purchased an existing business from Hersch Lackner, forming Leopold and Diner. This was the first iteration of a successful business that he actively led for almost 60 years. He retired at age 92.
Mr. Diner married Jeanne Leopold at Green Gables. They were married for 64 years. Jeanne Diner passed away in 2018.
Mr. Diner was an original season ticket holder for the Broncos from their first season in 1960.
In 1967, when Denver was in danger of losing the Broncos to competing cities with larger facilities, he helped raise funds to expand the old Bears Stadium. A bond issue was passed and Mile High Stadium was born.
Mr. Diner is survived by his children Marty (Jackie) Diner of Longmont, Randy (Lora) Diner of Castle Rock, Jim (Marla) Diner of Englewood and Nancy (Matt) Gordon of Mercer Island, Wash.; 11 grandchildren: Josh, Alex, Tiffanie, Jeff, Sarah, Spencer, Elise, Shauna, Erin, Emily and Josh; and eight great-grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to the Academy for Precision Learning or Temple Emanuel.
Copyright © 2020 by the Intermountain Jewish News
This obituary was updated on Dec. 3, 2020
