Former President of Edinboro University Foster Diebold has died at age 85, following a very brief illness. Sources tell Erie News Now Diebold had been living in Marathon, Florida in the Florida Keys when he became ill about a week ago. 

Foster Diebold served as president of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania from 1979 to 1996. According to the Edinboro University website, that is the second-longest tenure by a president in the institution's history.

University officials issued a statement Sunday night. “We are saddened to learn of the passing on April 1 of former Edinboro University President Foster Diebold.  Diebold, who was president from 1979 through 1996, led the university through challenging times, guiding its transition from Edinboro State College to Edinboro University, a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education."  

Sources close to the university remember that Diebold came to Edinboro during difficult times, not unlike the financial and enrollment challenges the institution is currently facing.  Diebold is remembered for leading the university to make difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions to stabilize its course for the future, and staying on for 17 years to live with those choices.

The Diebold Center for the Performing Arts on campus was named in his honor in 1992.

President Diebold also had a profound impact on the Edinboro athletics program, according to the university website.  He oversaw the Fighting Scots athletics transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II Status. That was followed by the elevation of the wrestling program to Division I status in 1986-87.  During Diebold's tenure, Edinboro athletic teams won four national championships and 33 Pennsylvania state athletic conference titles. He was inducted into the Edinboro Athletics Hall of fame in 2006.

The official university statement also remembered the former president for leadership in accommodating students with disabilities and in building international connections.  "Diebold is remembered as a leader who established Edinboro’s commitment to students with disabilities in the 1980s, before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 and prior to broader discussion and commitment nationally about the accommodative needs of these students. President Diebold is also remembered for building Edinboro’s international student program and in building linkages with multiple foreign universities, leading to numerous exchanges that continue today."

According to the statement, President Diebold’s wife, Patricia, was also a friend and colleague at the university, serving in multiple roles, including Director of Edinboro’s laboratory school, the Miller Research & Learning Center. "We extend our sincere condolences to Patricia and her family, as well as the many colleagues and friends who worked with President Diebold during his long tenure at Edinboro.”