In Memory ~ Thiessen, Paul

Memorial page posted 11/24/11, updated 12/05

Deceased
November 23, 2011


Note from Paul's son, Scott

I am sad to say that my Father (Paul Thiessen) passed away yesterday.  Dad was an unbelievable Father and an extremely talented musician.  As a musician myself, he was my inspiration!  We will all miss him deeply.

News Death Notice

THIESSEN, Paul Truman age 68 passed away November 23, 2011 at The Oaks of West Kettering. He is preceded in death by his wife, Brigitte Thiessen. He is survived by his two sons, Nick (Trichia) Thiessen and Scott Thiessen (Tina Roos); grandchildren, Jacob, Sophia, Nicholas Jr., Justin, and Briana. Paul proudly served in the United States Army and retired from the Air Force. He also served in the U.S. Air Force Academy Band as a jazz trumpet player. The family will receive friends Monday, November 28, 2011 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 11:00 am at Centerville Cemetery. To send a message of condolence please visit www.NewcomerDayton.com

Dayton Daily News Obituaries

Contact information for condolences

• Nicholas and Tricia Thiessen, son ~ 1915 W Bataan Drive, Kettering, OH  45420  tthiessen@mmmicrosystems.com
• Scott and Tina Thiessen, son ~ scott823@woh.rr.com

Paul had suffered a heart attack and was living in assisted living.  He had good and bad days but his family enjoyed every minute with him.

12/05 ~ from Sharan Salquist ~ I was so sad to hear about Paul's passing. I, too, graduated with him in 1961, and remember him as being a kind and thoughtful person with a dry sense of humor and love for his music. It is always a sad day when we hear of another of our classmates leaving us.

12/03 ~ from Dave Van Dusen ~ My condolences to the Thiessen family on Paul's passing. I am also a member of the Alliance High School class of 1961 and graduated with Paul. We were very good friends and ran around quite often.  We both entered the army about the same time. I served in Thailand for a year and then was sent to France. There Paul and I were able to get together quite often meeting in Paris and Orleans France.  I was honored to be the best man at Paul and Bridgets civil ceremony when they were married.
I have very fond memories of our times together in high school and later years.  He was a very talented person and will be missed.  Sincerely, David Van Dusen

12/01 ~ from Charley and Glenda Rusk ~ We are very sad to read about losing our classmate Paul. We remember his music abilities and his great smile. He was always a friendly person to meet in the hallways of AHS. Thank you for letting us know of his passing and our hearts go out to all of you at this sad time.

11/29 ~ from Jacki Vallentine Yardley ~ here is a picture of Paul and me taken in '61 for the yearbook.  I remember that smile and fun times.
11/29 ~ from Connie Sherlock Ackerman ~ I wanted to offer my condolences to Paul Thiessen's family.  He was a great guy and a great musician.  We really missed him at our 50th class reunion.  He will be a great musician in heaven I am sure.
11/28 ~ from Dick Graham ~ Dear Scott,

        My name is Dick Graham and I have lived in Bangkok, Thailand for the 

past forty years.    I graduated from Alliance High School in 1961 along with your father. I was deeply saddened to hear about his passing and wanted to 

offer you and all his family my heartfelt condolences.

        I went to the AHS 50th class reunion this past August and that's where I learned that Paul had serious health issues.  He was remembered at the reunion and many people had nice things to say about him.

        Your father was my best friend in grade school. I have a lot of nice memories of him back then. I lived at 417 Big Horn and your father lived around 9th and Big Horn.  As kids, we had some really nice times together.   I remember spending a lot of time playing basketball in the driveway of his garage or just hanging out at his place and eating lunch/dinner with him and his parents.  One memory stands out though and I wanted to share that with you.  In about the 3rd grade I was taking coronet lessons as was Paul. I soon got frustrated with it and talked my parents into letting me stop my 

lessons.  But Paul kept on going and became the wonderful musician that you mentioned. I can still 

remember the two of us in his bedroom while he was practicing his lessons.  And I can remember his mother coming into the bedroom when he wasn't practicing but was supposed to be.  We were just 

playing and fooling around as kids do and she came in and in no uncertain terms told him to get 

back to practicing. I still remember Paul kind of hanging his head and pouting a little a saying quite loudly: 'Mom'.  But, he went back to practicing as he was told.......At that time, I don't think he really enjoyed practicing very much.  Maybe because it seemed to come so easy to him. I've always thought it was good that his parents kept on him to keep practicing.   He had a special talent and everyone 

could see it.

       As we went through school, we sort of drifted apart.  Music became a huge part of his life.   I was more interested in sports. I can tell you though that everyone in our school admired Paul for his 

musical abilities. And he was wellknown for his talent.   If memory serves me correctly, he was the 

first-chair at the State Band clinic(not sure what that was, but everyone said it was really special).  I later heard that Paul was in the army and I thought he played in one of the military bands. In fact, 

that's what I thought he did exclusively in the military, but perhaps not.

        Anyway, I just wanted to tell you Paul is remembered by lots of his classmates.  He was a 

special talent and he will be missed.  I'm glad to hear that his talent was passed on to you.   My deepest sympathy, Dick

11/26 ~ from Jim Brice ~ I am sorry to hear that he passed.  I will always remember how well he played the trumpet in band.

11/26 ~ from Jacki Vallentine ~ Paul was one of my favorites.

11/26 ~ Memory from Penny Wright ~ I was so sad when I read about Paul's death. I will always remember Paul's ability to make his trumpet "sing" when he played "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White." He played the song so beautifully, and whenever I saw him with his trumpet, I would ask him to play a few bars. 

       Paul, Paul Nelson and I were also in the same First Christian Church Sunday school class from the time we were small children and enjoyed doing activities together. We also did our share of mischievous things. My mother called us The Three P's. We had a lot of fun.  Thanks for the memories, Paul. You will be missed! 

11/25 ~ Memory from Doug Bedient to Paul's family ~ I was sorry to read of  Paul's death.  I also graduated from Alliance in 1961. You mentioned Paul's musical talent.  In the late 1950s or maybe 1960 or 1961 my Dad booked a New Years Eve dance in Hyannis, NE. The combo included Paul on his trumpet, my Dad Stan playing rhythm guitar and some violin, my younger brother Steve playing his organ or accordion and I mainly played my pedal steel guitar or a string bass a bit. Anyway, we got off to a reasonable start and between us we could play many different genres of music.  The cowboys who came to town for the dance seemed to tolerate our sounds ok.  About 11:30 my Dad said, "Who's going to lead Auld Lang Syne?"  We all looked at one another with a blank stare.  Our effort was not very good at midnight, but we somehow got through it.  As I recall we played another hour or so and then packed up for our 60 mile drive back to Alliance.  We never reassembled for another gig.  Wish I had sent this to your dad as he might have laughed or been horrified as he recalled it.

A memory originally posted on class blog on 4/1/11, from Jacki Vallentine ~ As I watch the fruit trees blossoming, I am always reminded of Paul Thiessen.  I don't remember the exact occasion - a talent show, perhaps - Paul came on stage with his trumpet and said, "I'd like to play 'Flight of the Bumblebee' and the crowd went wild.  He then added, "...but I can't, so..." he played "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" - beautifully.  I love this memory.