Diet was the RA (Resident Assistant) for the dormitory floor where I boarded my Freshman year at GBI. (He was quite a bit older than I, and a Sophomore that year.) He was instrumental in my "transition" from an "American patriot" to a Christian who learned to pursue peace.

Diet had always been very kind and supportive to me, enduring my many blemishes over the years of supervising my PhD study. With his passing I have lost a wonderful teacher, a mentor, and a friend.

Diet was my student for just a year at McGill; I wanted him to follow me to Oxford but it didn't work out. But in that year he and Vi became good friends. We sometimes used to room together at AAR/SBL, and always enjoyed catching up at conferences etc. I am shocked -- horrified -- to think that he is no longer with us. His memory is a great blessing. My warm greetings and condolences to Vi and the children. You will be in my prayers. Tom Wright