Frederick MacLaurin Dierks

Frederick MacLaurin Dierks, 90, died in Mercy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas on Saturday, April 30th, 2011. His life will be celebrated at the First Presbyterian Church, 213 Whittington Avenue, Hot Springs, Arkansas on Thursday, May 5th at 1:30 p.m. followed by a gathering of friends and family in the Fellowship Hall. Fred Dierks was born in Kansas City, Missouri on October 24, 1920. After graduating from the Culver Military Academy in 1938, he attended college at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, becoming its president in 1941, then graduating in 1942 with SB Bachelor degree in Business and Engineering Administration. Falling in love with Louise Lane Galbraith in Kansas City, they married at her home in Glencoe, Illinois on May 2, 1942. During World War II they moved to Washington D.C. while he worked in the Naval Research Laboratory as an Ensign in the US Navy and was involved in design and production of aircraft, radar countermeasures, submarine communication and antennas. Fred and Louise moved back to Kansas City Missouri so that he could begin a career in the family business, Dierks Lumber & Coal. In 1946, he and the family moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas and later opened a new corporate headquarters for the company in 1956. During this time Fred was involved in many facets of managing and expanding the lines of business. An interest in all things technological and the contributions they make to society was his main focus and passion. He became heavily vested in civic organizations: Arkansas Parks and Forestry Commission, Board of Directors, Arkansas Arts Center, Member of Arkansas University Advisory Board, U of A Forestry School, Monticello Advisory Board, Hot Springs Airport Commission, member of both the Hot Springs and Garland County Industrial Development Commissions, President of the Hot Springs Arts Council, member of the Garland County Industrial Development Commission, among many organizations. In 1965, he became the President of Dierks Forests, Inc, succeeding his father. In 1969, Dierks Forests, Inc. with land holdings of 1.8 million acres and many production facilities was purchased by Weyerhaeuser Corporation enlarging it to the largest lumber company in the US. In 1970, Fred retired and engaged in private investment, it was during this time that he began making numerous non-profit contributions. He was contributor to the Caddo and Garland County Councils of the Boy Scouts of America, National Park Community College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Science Psychiatric Research, Institute, Arkansas Arts Center, St Joseph Mercy Health Foundation, Garvin Gardens, among many other organizations. In 1974, he and Louise, following their appreciation of nature, healthy living and family went to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where they ultimately built a retirement home. His philanthropic efforts expanded to the Yampa Valley Medical Center and Strings in the Mountains. He also developed an active interest in national societal issues by supporting the organizations he believed made the most difference: Planned Parenthood, The Hoover Institute and Washington Legal Foundation. He is survived by his lifelong wife, Louise Galbraith Dierks; and his daughters, Kathryn Greene, Constance Whitney, Suzanne Hooper, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to the National Park Community College of Nursing in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Guest register is www.caruth-hale.com.