Obituary:
Dietrich Stroeh, president of Golden Gate Bridge board
By Michael Cabanatuan
Dietrich Stroeh, a Marin County civic leader who was president of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District board and helped save the county from the 1970s drought, died in his sleep last week, He was 80.
Mr. Stroeh died overnight Tuesday at his home in Novato, where he had lived for 60 years, district officials said. His death was not expected, and the cause is unknown.
A former general manager of the Marin Municipal Water District, Mr. Stroeh was appointed to the bridge district’s governing board in 1997. Before becoming president of the board in January, he served on many committees and helped create a financial planning process that allowed the district to pay for operations while setting aside money for capital projects, including the suicide barrier.
“We’re all going to tremendously miss Diet,” said Denis Mulligan, district general manager. “He was a statesman, which is unusual for an engineer. He was an amazing human being, with a great sense of humor, very accomplished, and an incredible ability to get things done.”
After serving eight years as an airman in the Air Force, Mr. Stroeh was a partner in a civil engineering firm before heading up the water district. While at the district in 1977, during a drought, Mr. Stroeh persuaded Caltrans to let the agency take over one lane on the upper deck of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge for a temporary pipeline carrying water from Contra Costa County.
He also served on the boards of several public agencies, including the North Coast Railroad Authority, California Earthquake Authority, Marin County Flood Control District and Novato Economic Development Commission.
“His legacy is one of public service,” said Brian Sobel, a fellow board member. “It was his ingenuity that built a pipeline across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to deliver water to a thirsty Marin during a period of drought in the 1970s. Diet epitomized the idea of giving back selflessly. His kind of determination to do good, with excellent public discourse and debate, is an example to all of us.”
Mr. Stroeh was also active in community causes. He was a director of the Bank of Marin and a past president of the Novato Chamber of Commerce, and he worked on the Novato theater restoration project.
“His accomplishments and contributions to Marin County and Novato are stellar,” said Judy Arnold, Marin County supervisor and bridge district director. “Diet was an irreplaceable community leader and friend, and I will miss him dearly.”
Mr. Stroeh is survived by his wife, Dawna Gallagher-Stroeh, and adult daughters. A memorial service is expected to be held this month.