David Diol, 81, was born July 29, 1942, in Pakistan, to Pritam and Helmi (nee Erkintalo) Diol. He died March 27 at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Illinois. David was devoted to his wife, the love of his life, their three children and 11 grandchildren.
David is survived by Antoinette (nee Mastej) Diol; his children Steve (Karrie) Diol, Cabrina (John) Little and Mark (Sarah) Diol; his grandchildren, David (Danielle), Katie, M.D. (Fiancé Austin Wray), Jessica and Alicia Diol, Benjamin, Spencer, Conner, Cameron and Isabella Little, Miles and Scarlett Diol; his brothers Peter and Ron Diol and the late Sonny, Rosie, Julie and Janey, numerous nieces and nephews and sisters and brothers-in-law.
David enjoyed the fact that his parents met at Michigan State University. His mother was a pure Fin from Upper Michigan. They celebrated many years in beautiful India before returning to Michigan. David earned a BS degree in Math and Physics in India, a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Detroit in l965, an MS degree in Electrical Engineering at Seattle University in 1968 and an MBA at Loyola University in Chicago in 1973, majoring in Financial management.
He retired as a Consulting Systems Engineer at Defense Systems Division of Northrop Grumman in Rolling Meadows. He worked as an engineer and engineer manager in the Aero-Space and Missile sector for 43 years. From 1962 to 1965, while an engineering student at the University of Detroit, he was employed as a co-op student engineer at the Boeing Co. in Seattle, WA, and New Orleans, LA. From 1965 to 1969 he was a Member of the technical staff in Missile Antenna Development sector, Boeing Co, Seattle, WA.
From 1969 to 2007, he was a member of the technical staff at the Defense Systems division of Northrop Grumman Corp, activities covered classified design and development of airborne antennas and microwave components for ECM systems and the design and development of microwave components for ECM receiver and high power transmitter applications. As a Consulting Systems Engineer, he worked with RF and infra-Red Targeting systems. He was elected to the A.O.C. (USAF) Technology Hall-of-Fame in 2003.
David, a St. Edna parishioner since 1975, served as an usher, worked at Summerfest activities in the 1980s and was a member of the Finance Committee. He enjoyed the game of golf, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (a favorite get-away), tutored math at a local high school, but his true loves were his wife, children and grandchildren. He could spend hours speaking and listening to his grandkids regarding what was important to them at that time and helping with math problems. David was a true gentleman.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 4 from 3-8 p.m. at the Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004 and on Friday, April 5 from 9-10 a.m. followed by Funeral Mass at St. Edna Catholic Church, 2525 N. Arlington Height Rd., Arlington Heights. Committal Noon at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery, Palatine, Illinois
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Association of Old Crows Scholarship fund, St. Edna, or a charity of their choice.
Funeral Information and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFuneralHome.com or (847) 253-0168.
