Rochester -
January 2, 2024, age 98. "It is what it is"
Predeceased by his wife of 65 years Audrey Thieme. Survived by his six children, Susan, Laurie, Cindy, Mark (Lisa), Amy, Lisa(Greg). Nine grandchildren, Nick (Kari),Jeffrey, April, Benjamin (Wendy), Daniel (Grace), Katie (Josh), Sara (Matt), Chris (Brenda), Joseph and 6 great grandchildren. Eberhard "Art" Thieme emigrated to the US from Germany at the age of five with his parents Walter and Hedwig. They moved to Rochester, NY where he attended schools #3 and #19 and graduated from West High class of '43. After a semester at Clarkson College he entered the US Navy and served on the USS Guam, CB-2 in the Pacific during WWII as a RDM2c.
After serving he earned a BS and MS from SUNY Oswego and a EdD from Penn State. He taught Industrial Arts for a few years in Piermont NY before moving to Rochester where he taught at Franklin and West High. He served as Director of Industrial Arts for The Rochester Schools and as Director of Secondary Education. He was head of the planning committee for a new Edison Tech and served as principal for five years, retiring in 1985.
He became an airplane aficionado starting in high school where he drew plans and built flying models. He was a private pilot, S.E.L. and glider certified. He was a long time member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and built and flew an ultralight MiniMax. He was also a long time average bowler with the Rochester School Master League, fished with friends, enjoyed his gardening (even though he never could grow corn). He traveled with family to most national parks in the US and Canada, and visited China, Egypt, England, Germany, and Austria.
There will be a private service for family only.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to: The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 44, Trina Kenney Treasurer, 27 Keystone Court, Brockport, NY 14420 or RRH Hospice, 330 Monroe Ave, Suite 400, Rochester, NY 14607.
To share a memory of Art or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.