Michael Philip Diepenbrock

With loving family and friends by his side, Michael Philip Diepenbrock, born November 22, 1941, died February 12, 2022, after battling cancer. The eighth of nine children, Michael was born to prominent San Francisco physician Dr. Anthony Bernard Diepenbrock and Genevieve Claire McCarthy in San Francisco. Michael grew up on the San Francisco Peninsula, attended St. Catherine of Siena School in Burlingame, Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, and received his law degree from Santa Clara University in 1966. In July 1966, a month after law school graduation and a student draft deferment, Michael was drafted to serve in the United States Army in the Vietnam War. He started as an NCO Private and was stationed at Ford Ord on Monterey Bay. There, he performed military legal services under the supervision of Captain James (“Jim”) P. Hargarten, who would later become his brother-in-law and lifelong friend. While stationed at Fort Ord, Michael and Jim would go visit Michael’s sister, Patricia, who was in a graduate program at the nearby Monterey Institute for International Studies. Patricia’s roommate, Viorica Marian, quickly became the love of his life and the two married on November 30, 1968 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Boulder Creek, CA. Shortly thereafter, Jim and Patricia also married, and the close friendship between the two couples flourished throughout the half century that followed. Michael was discharged from the Army in November 1969, as NCO E6, Army Specialist 6. Michael is survived by his beloved wife Viorica of 53 years, to whom he was deeply devoted, and their 5 children: Ted of Sammamish, WA, Michelle (Jeff) Egan of Windsor, Phil (Andrea) of Mill Creek, WA, Ann (Adam) Eberts of Santa Rosa, and Paul (Nicole) of Vallejo. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Laura, Claire, Mary, Caroline, Bernadette, Jakob, Clara, August, Damian, Jesse, and Andrei. Michael is also survived by sisters Claire Diepenbrock of San Francisco, Florence (David) Stronck of Union City, and Patricia (James) Hargarten of San Francisco. He was preceded in death by parents Dr. Anthony and Genevieve Diepenbrock, sisters Mary (Frank) Draeger, Clotilde Diepenbrock, Rebecca (Lawrence) Del Santo, and brothers Melchior “Hubert” Diepenbrock and Anthony (Marjorie) Diepenbrock. Michael was gifted with a keen intellect. He had an enduring interest in theology, philosophy, and the law, and could often be found deeply immersed in literature pertaining to these topics. Following in the footsteps of his big brother, San Francisco lawyer Anthony B. Diepenbrock (d. 2009), Michael was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1966. As a lawyer, Michael’s polished and persuasive writing skills were well-employed. He was eloquent, gentle-spirited and soft-spoken; he enjoyed light-hearted banter and clever word play. He loved food and cooking, especially preparing feasts for his large extended family. Michael was a devout Roman Catholic who loved his faith and the Blessed Mother. Through his longstanding parishionership at The Cathedral of Saint Eugene’s, he was a member of the Catholic fraternal service order, The Knights of Columbus. Michael loved to visit Monterey, Carmel, Santa Cruz, and Lake Tahoe with his family, as he often did growing up as a child. Friends and family are invited to a Rosary Vigil at 7:00pm, February 17, 2022 at Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, 901 W Second Street, Benicia, CA and a Funeral Mass at 3:00 pm on February 18, 2022 at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, 475 East I St., Benicia, CA. Reception to follow.

Michael Philip Diepenbrock

November 22, 1941 - February 12, 2022