Fowlerville News and Views Online

Diego Senn

   On Friday, July 13, 2018, Diego Senn, loving husband and father of four small children, died in a single engine plane accident in Spokane, Washington. He was 30 years old. All those that know and love him grieve deeply at his passing and yet celebrate the amazing life he lived and rejoice in the knowledge of his new and perfect body now home with the Lord. 
    Diego was born on September 29, 1987 in Aarau, Switzerland to Rodolfo and Beatrice Senn, and later became older brother to one brother and two sisters. Diego spent an incredibly rich and joyful childhood in the Amazon jungle where his parents served as missionaries in a small indigenous village. Diego attended Daniel Harden Memorial Elementary School and graduated from Puraquequara High with a 4.0.
   After high school, he moved to the United States and attended New Tribes Bible Institute in Waukesha, WI and then in 2008 attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. He graduated from Moody Suma Cum Laude with a bachelors in Biblical studies and met the love of his life while in school there. Diego and Naomi were married on June 5, 2010 in Naomi's home town of Fowlerville, MI. They had their first child on February 23, 2012 and shortly after, moved to Spokane, WA where Diego attended Moody Aviation and got his commercial pilot's license. 
    Diego and Naomi welcomed their premature miracle twins on March 8, 2016. The young couple dreamed of heading overseas to serve as a missionary pilot family but because of their twins' fragile health decided to stay in the U.S. until the twins were stronger. During this time, Diego served on the Moody Aviation team and eventually became one of Moody's most proficient and beloved flight instructors. 
    Diego is remembered for his tireless dedication to what was most important in his life: his Lord and Savior, his family, his flying, and training missionary pilots. People gravitated to him. He told the most amazing stories, embellished to the point of hilarity. He was a loyal friend and his laugh and smile lit up every room he walked into. Diego was a man of integrity, humility, and faithfulness. He spoke kindly of others and genuinely cared for them.
     Diego was an unreserved family man. He would plan special surprises and adventures for them and nothing made him happier than simply spending time with them. He loved his wife and little ones with his whole heart. He protected them and led them faithfully. Diego was passionate about his calling as a missionary pilot and poured into many students' lives not only as an instructor, but also as a mentor, encourager, and friend. His greatest desire was that others would know Jesus as he did. His life was so full, and he would want it clarified that it wasn't because of any personal achievements, but because he believed and glorified the On who came to give fullness of life. Diego served his Savior to his last breath. 
    He was given only 30 years to live. That seems like such a terribly short and unfair length of time, yet the years are disproportionate to the number of lives he touched. His life AND his death have impacted and continue to impact thousands. His life AND his death are a vibrant testimony to the love and faithfulness of Christ. Some of Diego's favorite verses were Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV), “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Diego ran his race. He ran it so very well. He is now a part of that great cloud of witnesses, praising His Savior. 
   Diego is survived by his wife Naomi, his four children, Lionel, Malachi, Ellanie, and a baby girl due in December, his parents Rodolfo and Beatrice Senn, his brother Rafael (Kelsey) Senn, his sisters Angelica (Jeffrey) Roszhart and Fatima Dos Santos, three nephews, his grandparents Juan and Marion Senn and Alfred and Kathi Schwarz, and literally hundreds of other family members and close friends.  
    It is with profound sadness that his family grieves his death. It is with firm hope that his family celebrates his new life in eternity. 
   Diego's memorial service was held at Fourth Memorial Church in Spokane on Friday, July 20 at 11:00 a.m. Another memorial service will be held at Community Bible Church in Brighton, Michigan on Friday, July 27. Please join us in celebrating the life of this faithful and beloved disciple and son of God. 
    “For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” Psalm 48:14 (NIV)