Obituary of Serge Andre' Dihoff

Serge Andre Dihoff was born on November 12, 1944 in Mont Saint Aubert, Belgium, son of Serge Dihoff and Germaine Pontegnies Dihoff. The family immigrated to America when Serge was 8 years old, and he immediately charmed his teachers and classmates in the local New Jersey schools by speaking French.

He attended Temple University, Ambler Campus where he sang in the University Choir. He attended Rowan University, earning a BA in American Literature and Abnormal Psychology. He served four years in the Navy, including three years on board the USS R. K. Huntington. While in the Navy he sang in the Blue Jacket choir.

Serge worked in health care administration for most of his career, beginning with the Bancroft Community in New Jersey where he directed the program for young adults with disabilities. He was the first Executive Director of Caramore Community in Chapel Hill, a vocational and residential program for adults with disabilities. Following this he became the Director of the Morven Area Medical Center in Morven, NC for four years where he greatly expanded the facility from one site with two doctors to six sites and twelve physicians, a pharmacy, and a dental facility. He was then recruited to work at the State Office of Rural Health in Raleigh, where he was responsible for State and Federal assistance to small rural hospitals and where he remained until his retirement.

Serge joined the Rotary Club of Hillsborough in 2004 and served as the Rotary District Governor from 2010 till 2011. He subsequently served as the Host Area Coordinator for the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center supporting international graduate students.

A man of many talents, he was a gifted cook, horticulturist, and nature watcher who loved the Tar Heels. He enjoyed his time singing with the Heart of Carolina Barbershop Chorus. He also wrote poetry and haiku for his granddaughter Evie.

Other volunteer activities included serving as an assistant coach for Chapel Hill Express, AAU Basketball, and Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation.

Serge is survived by his brother Dr. Ivan Dihoff of Springfield Ohio, Ivan’s children Ayo and Tanya, Serge’s former wife Deby Dihoff of Chapel Hill, children Serge Derek Dihoff of Black Mountain NC, Derek’s partner Rose Wind Jerome, Andrew Marshall Dihoff of Chapel Hill, Lara Carpenter of Haddonfield, NJ and eight grandchildren including Seneca, Evienne, Myla, and a special friend, Liz Peck of Hilo, Hawaii. He will be sorely missed.

A celebration of life service is planned for the Fleming Center at Camp New Hope on Sunday December 19, 2021 at 2 PM 4805 NC 86 Chapel Hill, NC 27516. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rotary Foundation for the Peace Center 1560 Sherman Ave, Evanston, ILL 60201 or www.rotary.org.

Condolences may be left on line at www.walkersfuneralservice.com