- Date Of Birth: August 15, 1934
- Date Of Death: December 22, 2015
- State: Illinois
Kenneth R. Thies, 81, of Santa Monica, California, formerly of Wenona passed away Wednesday (December 22, 2015) at his residence in California.
He was born the oldest son in a family of three on August 15, 1934 in Illinois to Raymond & Alice (Kelm) Thies. He grew up in Wenona and after High School he attended the University of Illinois where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering. On May 11, 1957, he married Nancy Moravek of Streator, Illinois. Upon their marriage, he and his wife moved to Maryland where he served in the United States Army. After his term ended in 1959, they moved to Santa Monica, CA, where they lived the rest of their lives. He worked briefly at Mcdonnell Douglas Aircraft after arriving in Santa Monica and then was employed for 26 years at Hoover Electric Company, an aerospace firm where he became Chief Engineer working on the Space Shuttle among many other projects. He was well liked and respected by his co-workers. He retired in 1985.
He and Nancy had their only child, Paul on July 15, 1960. On November 11, 1989, Paul married Julie Gimbutas in Topanga and has lived there since 1994.
Ken’s lifelong interest was aerospace and aircraft history. In watching a movie, he could point out if the interior of the airplane didn’t match the exterior.
He was a beloved husband and father. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy in December 2010. He is survived by his son Paul, daughter-in-law Julie and his sisters Marlene (Joseph) Martorelli and Jeanette Thies.
