Antoni Mills Diehl

Antoni "Toni" Diehl, MD, 90, of Lenexa, KS, passed away peacefully in his home with his family on Tuesday, Sept 22, 2015. He was born in Minneapolis, MN to Dr. Harold Diehl and Julia Diehl, and is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Sybil; his sister, Annabelle Diehl Bush; his son, Paul Diehl and wife Sarah; his daughter, Pamela Diehl Michel and husband Leo Michel; his daughter, Brenda Diehl Gast and husband Lawrence (Skip) Gast; and son, James Diehl; 4 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Like his father, Dr. Harold Diehl, former Dean of the University of MN Medical School and Senior Vice-President of the American Cancer Society, Toni pursued medicine. His undergraduate and medical studies were at Vanderbilt University and the University of Minnesota. He met his wife, Sybil, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After serving in the Naval Reserves in Great Lakes, Illinois, he and Sybil returned to Minneapolis where he did his residency in pediatric cardiology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. They later moved to Kansas City, where he was a professor of pediatric cardiology for 25 years at the University of Kansas Medical Center and headed its Department of Pediatric Cardiology. He later had a private practice for 13 years through St. Luke's Hospital and Children's Mercy Hospital. His greatest satisfaction came from helping others. Toni's energy and enthusiasm for volunteering was contagious; he empowered many people both young and old, whether working side-by-side with prospective homeowners at Habitat for Humanity or tirelessly readying deliveries and shelves at the Village Church Food Pantry. Every day was a good day for Toni. No doubt, his smile and positive outlook were an inspiration and comfort to many - including those who waved at him as he directed traffic at the Village Church parking lot for more than 50 years, as well as patients, families, and colleagues. A regular member of the Village Church, Toni served as deacon and elder, and formed the first Shepherd Deacon group nurturing new members.

A steady force behind the Turner House Children's Clinic in Kansas City, KS, Toni provided quality health care to low income families. He not only served as the Medical Director, he was also on the Board of Directors and on the Development, Nominating and Medical Affairs Committees. In addition to these leadership responsibilities, Toni touched the lives of many of the patients he treated, while actively participating with other volunteer pediatricians. His biggest reward came from the smiles of appreciation and "thank-you" from parents and children. Knowing the value of providing volunteer services in the Kansas City context, Toni drew upon his local professional peers, students, Phi Rho Sigma medical fraternity, Beta Theta Pi fraternity, and American Medical Association colleagues to apply many of these lessons and teamwork to the international setting. Together with other volunteer doctors, nurses and laypersons, he participated in more than 32 medical missions providing healthcare in rural sugarcane villages of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The international faculty and students at KU Medical Center were regular invitees to Toni and Sybil's home, and he was part of the KU team that trained Thailand and Guatemala's first pediatric cardiologists. Toni loved to travel - from family camping trips to the national parks, to canoeing with Eagle Scouts in the Quetico on the MN-Canadian border, to exploring China. He loved nature, finding a great deal of peace and inspiration in the outdoors, and especially the woods. Most of all, he looked forward to sharing annual family trips to the cabin on Star Island at Cass Lake in northern Minnesota - one of his favorite places.

Toni's contributions were recognized by various organizations. Among his many awards, he was the recipient of the 2004 Kansas City Spirit Award nominated by the Gillis Home for Children, the 2005 Hall Family Foundation Award for his service at Turner House Children's Clinic, the August 2009 KC Royals Buck O'Neill Legacy Seat, the 2010 Shining Star for the Mother & Child Health Coalition, the 2011 Turner House Children's Clinic Dr. Frank Vaughters Service Award, and special awards of appreciation from Habitat for Humanity and the Community Blood Center. Please join the family in celebration of his life and legacy of service to others.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 3, at 2 p.m. at The Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS 66208.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to: The Village Church Endowment Fund.