Herman and Dorothy Diers known for tireless service to others

Herman Diers and his wife, Dorothy, have been chosen to receive the 2008 St. Francis Humanitarian of the Year Award for their tireless volunteerism in Tacoma that has helped individuals and families in need.

This prestigious award will be presented to them during a special ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2, starting at 11:30 a.m., in the Lagerquist Center at St. Joseph Medical Center, 1717 South J St. in Tacoma.

“Those who have had the opportunity to work alongside Herman and Dorothy know that this couple truly embodies the spirit of St. Francis,” said Jon Flora, Franciscan Foundation president. “We are proud to acknowledge and honor such dedicated community volunteers.”

The St. Francis Humanitarian of the Year Award recognizes individuals who exemplify the values of St. Francis of Assisi by serving the poor, promoting peace and embracing diversity. This is the 27th year that the award has been presented. It is sponsored by the Order of the Sisters of St. Francis and the Franciscan Foundation, the philanthropic arm of St. Joseph Medical Center and the non-profit Franciscan Health System.

“Dorothy and I are stunned and humbled to receive this award in the wonderful tradition of such a great man,” Herman Diers said. “We dare to accept it only with the understanding that it also acknowledges the devotion of the hundreds of people who have worked with us so courageously over the years to rebuild the Hilltop community.”

Diers, an ordained Lutheran minister, and his wife relocated to Tacoma after he retired from a distinguished career as a professor of religion and director of multicultural and global studies at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. There, he encouraged students to do something significant with their lives and assisted them in their preparation to do just that.

Upon retiring, he and Dorothy made their own commitment to work for the betterment of humanity. She decided to do volunteer work through Associated Ministries, FISH Food Banks and the First Lutheran Church in Tacoma. He concentrated his time and energy in support of Tacoma’s Hilltop Action Coalition, a grassroots citizens group. For more than 13 years, he worked for neighborhood improvements by participating in hundreds of meetings, phone calls and negotiations with landlords, gang members, churches, businesses and others.

“He always tried to see both sides of every situation,” said Christie Comeau, a staff member in St. Joseph Medical Center’s department of volunteer services and community outreach. “He is a champion for the underserved but at the same time expects people to rise to their capabilities -- and will do everything he can to help them do just that.”

Rev. David T. Alger, executive director of Associated Ministries in Tacoma and recipient of the St. Francis Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1989, said that Herman and Dorothy Diers “are cut from the same cloth.”

“The two have the same energy, the same twinkle in their eyes, the same gentle spirit, the same faith foundation, and the same commitment to serving others in hopes of building a gentler, kinder and more justice-filled world,” Alger added. “We are thrilled to see them get the recognition they deserve.”

Recipients of the Humanitarian of the Year award select a charity to receive a $1,000 donation from the Franciscan Foundation: Herman and Dorothy Diers have chosen the Hilltop Action Coalition for the donation. In addition, the 6,500-employee Franciscan Health System is conducting a canned food drive in their honor to benefit FISH and other food banks in the Franciscan service area of Pierce, South King and South Kitsap counties.