Robert George Thesing

Robert George Thesing, died March 2, 2023, at the age of 89, at Hospice House of the Piedmont in High Point, NC. His death was the result of rapid decline after a recent injury. He died peacefully with his wife Carol and son Glenn by his side.

Bob was born in Lancaster, OH on April 7, 1933, the 5th of 11 children. He graduated from Saint Mary’s High School in Lancaster then earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. During college, he was a member of the United States Army ROTC and served in the Army at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds.

After serving in the Army, he began his career at Diamond Power in his hometown, then had a short stint with Crown Zellerbach in Maryland, before returning to Diamond Power. In 1973, he began working for Gulton Industries, and moved to the Atlanta area. From then on he made the South his home, while never forgetting his roots and memories of Ohio. Bob loved his career with Gulton and one of his (and his family’s) proudest accomplishments was being promoted to corporate vice president.

His career with Gulton took him to leadership positions in Georgia, Texas, and California. He also traveled internationally to South America, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Bob was always ready to share interesting and sometimes harrowing stories about doing business in 1970s Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Korea. He finished his career overseeing operations at Femco of High Point, NC, from which he retired in 1994. After retiring, Bob continued to put his energy and skills to work in leadership, management, and mentorship through his parish and the local SCORE chapter. He routinely volunteered with Meals on Wheels and the High Point Regional Hospital. Bob was especially proud of his work with other key leaders in the founding of the Blowing Rock, NC Community Foundation.

As a high schooler in Lancaster, Bob had a serendipitous moment when he met Frances Bell, who was working at a Camp Fire Girls camp nearby. Somehow this young man from General Sherman’s hometown and young woman from Atlanta started a romance that led to 55 years of devoted marriage. Bob and Fran married in 1955 and started raising their family of five children. Bob was a wonderful father, often helping the kids with homework. He especially loved solving Physics problems, which usually involved drawing the ‘Free Body Diagram’. He enjoyed teaching the kids with the tools of his trade: graph paper, protractors, triangles and, of course, the slide rule. The kids’ Saturday cartoons were often interrupted with his call for who wants to help him on repair projects. 'Last man standing’ in the TV room was ‘it’ for the day. Family and Faith were the elements of life most important to him.

Bob was as devoted to Fran as she was to him, but he lost her in 2010. The big void left by Fran’s passing did not linger for long. Bob and Carol Bray, who previously lost her spouse, had been acquaintances at their Parish in High Point. They fell in love and were married in 2014. Bob and Carol’s journey was full of travels to visit Bob’s large family and his new family of Brays. They especially enjoyed the company of their High Point friends. Together, they strengthened the strong bond and commitment toward their parish in High Point. As Bob’s health declined in the last several years, Bob was blessed to have Carol always by his side. Bob also cherished his 10 brothers and sisters. They grew up in the depression and World War II years in Lancaster, OH. When they convened each year for their Sibling Reunion, there was never a lull in the conversation, nor a dry eye in the house. Funny stories were retold about the days on the farm and all their quirky adventures growing up in small Midwest town USA. The family’s keen sense of humor and love for each other led to their commitment to gather each year, despite the distance. Wherever Bob traveled, he knew he had 10 best friends throughout the USA that he could count on and they him. Bob’s niches in the pack were his love for cars, tinkering (he could fix just about anything), jazz music and the hi-fi systems he assembled to play his jazz collection.

He is survived by his wife Carol Bray, children Teresa Thesing, Marcella Hazard, Phyllis Thesing Riquelme and husband James Riquelme, Gregory Thesing and wife Kathryn, and Glenn Thesing and wife Kirstin, as well as his step-children Rebecca Fagan and husband Terence, Scott Miller, and Chris Bray and wife Melanie. In addition, Bob is survived by his grandchildren Erin Thesing and husband Elliott Wilkes, Claire and Benjamin Thesing, Jack Hazard, Mary Frances Hazard and husband Zan Zhuang; and Holly Thesing, as well as his step-grandchildren Addison Miller; Brenna, Rori and Connor Fagan; and Lilly and Baxter Bray.

He was predeceased by his first wife Frances Bell Thesing, parents Clarence and Mary Brown Thesing, sister Anne Louise Lytle, and brothers John, Thomas, Richard, and Joseph Thesing.

Bob’s family would like to thank Carolyn Lindem and Tomica Joseph for the kindness and wonderful care they provided him during his last years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM March 24, 2023, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, High Point, NC. Family Visitation will precede from 10:00 AM -11:00 AM. A reception will follow the service in the parish hall. The service will be live-streamed. Visit the Immaculate Heart of Mary website, go to the Worship menu option, and select Livestream, or use this address https://www.ihmchurch.org/live-stream.html. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, High Point, NC.

Wright Funerals-Cremations, High Point is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed at www.wrightfs.com.