Unexpected Passing Of Golden Gate District Board President Announced

BAY AREA, CA — Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District Board President Dietrich Stroeh has died unexpectedly, passing away in his sleep overnight, transportation officials announced Wednesday. He was 80.

"It is with great sadness that we share with you .... President Dietrich Stroeh passed away unexpectedly overnight, in his sleep," the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District said in a statement.

Stroeh was first appointed to the District’s Board of Directors in February 1997, and had lived in Novato for the last 76 years.

According to the district, First Chair Sabrina Hernandez will now step in as acting President.

Here's more from the transportation district on Stroeh's extensive community achievements and the loss that is felt by local leaders:

He served on numerous committees, including the Finance Committee, which he chaired. Under his leadership, the Districted created the financial planning process that provides the resources necessary to maintain the operations and build reserves to build large capital projects, such as the Suicide Deterrent Barrier.

President Stroeh’s experience as General Manager of the Marin Municipal Water District shaped his executive perspective, which was invaluable to the Bridge District Board.

Marin County Supervisor and fellow Bridge Board member Judy Arnold said, “I was deeply saddened to learn this morning we lost our long time Novato resident and civic treasure Diet Stroeh. Most recently I worked with Diet in his role as President of the Golden Gate Bridge District, on the downtown Novato Theater restoration project and on flooding issues in Novato. His accomplishments and contributions to Marin County and Novato are stellar. Diet was an irreplaceable community leader and friend and I will miss dearly.”

President Stroeh also served on the Bank of Marin Board with fellow Bridge Board member Brian Sobel.

“Diet Stroeh was a towering figure in North Bay politics,” said Sobel. “His legacy is one of public service. It was his ingenuity that built a pipeline across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to deliver water to a thirsty Marin during a period of drought in the 1970’s. Diet epitomized the idea of giving back selflessly. His kind of determination to do good, with excellent public discourse and debate, is an example to all of us.”

Bridge District General Manager Denis Mulligan shared, “We’re all going to tremendously miss Diet. I’m personally going to miss him. He was a statesman, which is unusual for an engineer. He was an amazing human being, with a great sense of humor, very accomplished, and an incredible ability to get things done.”

More information about President Stroeh can be found here: http://goldengate.org/board/bi...

— Images courtesy of the County of Marin