Eric Edwin Diener, a green home builder who spent most of his life in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area, died unexpectedly Dec. 29 in Montgomery, Ala. He was 39.
Deeply saddened by this loss are his wife Laura Dominkovic, his parents Thomas and Patricia (Pam) Diener of Brentwood, Tenn., his sister Erin Diener of Wilmington, N.C., and many dear friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11, 2009, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place. Weather permitting, his ashes will be spread in Graveyard Fields after the service (dress appropriately), followed by a reception at the home, 29 Spinet St.
Memorials gifts may be donated to Save the Children at www.savethechildren.org. To donate to a specific country, call 1-800-728-3848. Eric was dedicated to supporting countries in critical need, such as Zimbabwe, the Congo, the Gaza strip, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Eric Edwin Diener spent most of his life growing up and living in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. He graduated from Chapel High School in 1987 and attended Appalachian State in Boone, N.C. Eric loved the mountains and spent time in Boone and Brevard before returning to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area. After settling in Carrboro, Eric worked at the Emerson Waldorf School as the business manager and impacted many children, parents and teachers while there. From 2001 until 2004 Eric served as the construction manager at Orange Community Housing and Land Trust. He managed the completion of the Legion Road Townhomes in 2001 and managed the entire development and construction of the Rosemary Place Townhomes in Meadowmont in 2002-03. Eric was intelligent, curious and thoughtful about his work. He strove to improve the homes that were built to better serve homebuyers and he worked hard to ensure that the homes were well built and affordable. After leaving Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Eric spent a year in Croatia before marrying his wife Laura Dominkovic and moving back to the mountains to settle in Asheville, N.C. For the past four years, Eric was a green home builder in Asheville and started his own business there, Solstice Building Company, two years ago. He was a wonderful, loving son, brother, husband, dog lover and friend to many and he left a positive and valuable impact on our world. All who were touched by him were honored and will strive to make sure his vision and service continues to live on in the community.
We are incredibly saddened by Eric’s passing. A memorial website has been set up if you would like to share your memories of Eric. http://www.imorial.com/ericdiener/
This is to let all the Dieners and especially Erin know that you are in my thoughts and prayers
All of us at Emerson Waldorf School are deeply saddened by Eric’s death. He was truly loved by all our staff and students during the years he worked here, and we have missed him, but kept in touch, during the last few years. Please know that the whole Emerson community sends our sympathy to Eric’s family.