Kurt R. Thiel

Kurt R. Thiel, 89, of Fond du Lac, died Saturday, October 6, 2012, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac.He was born on August 3, 1923, in Oshkosh, to Carlton and Tillie Griedl Thiel. Kurt graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1940, and then served five years in the U.S. Navy with the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate First Class. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1950 from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. In 1954, he earned his Masters Degree of Education from the University of Wisconsin. He married Charlotte Skinner in 1950 in Stoughton, Wisconsin, and both of them taught in Gladstone, Michigan, from 1950-1953. He then taught in Stoughton from 1953-1954. He moved to Fond du Lac in 1954 and taught at Roosevelt Junior High from 1954 -1959. He taught at Goodrich High School from 1959 -1964 and became assistant principal from 1964 -1972. He was appointed principal of the high school and served in that office from 1972-1985.He served on the Secondary School Principals’ Organization Board of Directors. He was president of the American Federation of Teachers, was a member of the Wisconsin Education Association, First Presbyterian Church, South Hills Golf and Country Club, Elks Club and Kiwanis (noon club). He was a docent of EAA for several years where he loved to work in the World War II exhibit. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Thiel; two sons: Jeff (Nancy) Thiel of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Mark (Judy) Thiel of Fond du Lac. He was very fond of his three granddaughters: Sandra (Matt) Gress of Minneapolis, Kelli (Ken) Klippenstein of Madison, and Sara (Nathan) Olson of Batavia, Illinois; a brother, Norman (Kay) Thiel of Neenah; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife’s parents, William and Mary Skinner of Stoughton; and a sister, Carol (Robert) Upham of Oshkosh. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2012, at First Presbyterian Church, 1225 Fourth Street, Fond du Lac. The family will greet relatives and friends at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh, at a later date.

Kurt R. Thiel

August 3, 1923 - October 6, 2012