A retired Galesburg English teacher forever remembered by former students for his unique college prep writing course has died.
Larry Diemer, who started teaching at Galesburg High School in 1975, died Wednesday, Feb. 12. He was 77.
According to District 205, Diemer taught high school English from 1975-1995. He was the District Tech Coordinator from 1996-2002. And, he taught English again from 2003-2006.
His obituary noted: He had a gift for making you believe you could do better, be better, and leave the world a little brighter. With a lovable gruffness, quick humor, and sincere passion, he passed on lessons that reached far beyond the classroom: that Shakespeare could be exciting, rewriting is the heart of good writing, and that a theater set can be more complex than a home renovation.
Diemer was born in Chicago in 1947. After attending the Pontifical College Josephinum and briefly considering the priesthood, he served in the Army during the Vietnam era. He later earned his English Education degree from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s from Western Illinois University.
His obituary further reads: In 1975, Larry began teaching at Galesburg High School, quickly earning a reputation as a tough but fair writing teacher. His infamous college prep writing course, with its dreaded red pen and anxiety-inducing assignments, became a rite of passage. Yet, those who endured it—and his final-day serenade on his beloved 12-string Martin guitar—left truly prepared for the challenges ahead. His students, including his own daughters, all faced his class as equals, their success measured by resilience and dedication.
Diemer had a passion for theater. He acted, directed, and built sets with Prairie Players Community Theatre. A highlight of his time acting was playing the role of Stephen Douglas for the Lincoln-Douglas Debates broadcast on CSPAN in 1994.
He is survived by his life-long students; his wife, Judy Diemer of Galesburg; his daughters, Megan Goodman (Brian) of Oak Park, IL, and Vicki Parks-Murphy (Nick) of Sherman Oaks, CA; and his grandchildren, Leo Murphy, Maisie Goodman, Jules Murphy, and Finn Goodman.
The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life at Prairie Players Civic Theatre (160 S. Seminary St., Galesburg, IL 61401) on Saturday, March 8th, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For those who wish to honor his memory, the family has set up a GoFundMe in his name, with proceeds going to Prairie Players Civic Theatre. https://www.gofundme.com/f/honor-larry-diemer-support-prairie-players. Checks can also be mailed or dropped off at the theater (address above) in Larry’s name. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
Check back to WGIL next week for more reaction on the death of Larry Diemer.
