In Memoriam Diane Hurd

Diane was an interior design professional for more than 44 years, seamlessly bridging professional practice and education with grace, rigor, and unwavering commitment. Alongside her husband, Peter Hurd, she served as Principal of Hurd Design since 1989, bringing thoughtful design, meticulous space planning, and strong project leadership to both commercial and residential projects. Equally important was her life’s calling as an educator, one that shaped generations of designers throughout the Bay Area and beyond.

For 33 years, Diane was the heart of the Interior Design program at West Valley College, serving as instructor, mentor, and ultimately Department Chair. She was instrumental in developing the School of Art and Design and was an early advocate for sustainable design education, long before it became an industry standard. Diane genuinely believed that interior design was not a luxury, but a powerful tool for improving how people live and feel, and she instilled this conviction in her students through both curriculum and example. Her teaching extended well beyond the classroom, offering students real-world experience through campus renovation projects and community-focused design initiatives that instilled both professional excellence and social responsibility.

Diane’s extraordinary impact as an educator was recognized nationally in 2016, when ASID honored her with the prestigious Educator Medalist Award, celebrating her outstanding service to ASID, student chapters, and the advancement of interior design education. That same spirit of dedication and mentorship was later honored by the ASID California Peninsula Chapter at the 2025 Design Excellence Awards, where Diane received the Educator of Distinction Legacy Award, recognizing a lifetime of influence that continues to shape our chapter’s leadership and future.

Diane’s relationship with ASID California Peninsula spanned five decades. She first joined ASID as a student member, became a Professional Member in 1977, and remained an engaged and dedicated member for 50 years. As one of the chapter’s inaugural members, her commitment helped lay the foundation for the vibrant community we are today. Over the years, she served in numerous board leadership roles, including Treasurer, First Vice President, and Secretary, and contributed extensively through committee service supporting education, strategic planning, nominations, philanthropy, and chapter communications. One of her lasting contributions to the chapter was her involvement in the ASID California Peninsula Chapter’s 50th Anniversary magazine, where she played a meaningful role in content creation, editorial contributions, and concept development, helping to thoughtfully capture the chapter’s history, values, and vision for the future. Her guidance fostered award-winning student chapters and meaningful community engagement, leaving a lasting imprint on our chapter’s culture of service and excellence.

Perhaps Diane’s greatest legacy lives on through her students. Thousands of designers carry her lessons forward, many of whom have become ASID leaders, award-winning professionals, and educators themselves. Her influence is reflected not only in successful careers, but in the values, she instilled: generosity, curiosity, integrity, and a deep belief in the power of design, made stronger through a community of design professionals who uplift and support each other in improving lives.

Diane Tsukamoto Hurd will be remembered for her brilliance, kindness, and unwavering dedication to education and community. She leaves behind a profession strengthened by her contributions and a chapter forever grateful for her leadership, mentorship, and heart.

She will be deeply missed and always remembered