HISTORY - Rick Diebold began his career in 1962 attending Penn State University majoring in
Turfgrass Management. While not attending college, his summer months were spent working
under M.J. (Deke) Palmer at the Latrobe C.C. from 1963 to 1966. “Deke was not only a hands-
on worker, but a great instructor both on and off the golf course.” After leaving Latrobe, Rick
worked on several golf courses over the next ten years i.e., Valley Green G.C., Greensburg, PA,
Emporium C.C. of PA, Fountain Valley G.C. St. Croix, V.I.. Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Australia,
and Miramar G.C., Wellington, N.Z.
Upon returning from New Zealand in 1976, he found his interest in trees exceeded being a golf
course ‘greenskeeper.’ “Trees have a mystical and challenging quality about them that turf
grass seemed to lack.” Rick returned to both the classroom and the field to study more about
tree biology and structure. Fortunately, along the way, he worked with and studied under such
people as Dr. Alex Shigo - retired scientist for U. S. Forest Service, Paul Latshaw - former golf
course superintendent at Oakmont C.C. and Augusta National, Dr. John Ball - professor of
Forestry at South Dakota State University, Lauren Lanphear -president of the International
Society of Arboriculture, John Yakubison - golf course superintendent Rolling Rock Club, and
Eric Oesterling - Penn State Extension County Agent.
“These fine people plus many others and hopefully more to come have been great ‘pointers’ in
teaching that education and experience work together like a pair of scissors and one without the
other is just what it is, just a half pair of scissors.”
R. Diebold & Associates is a small company that places quality above quantity. Give us a call
when you’re ready to grow!
For better trees.
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