Thiessen, Richard Leigh (1954-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Aug 17 p. 9

Birth date: 1954 Nov. 8

text of obituary:

RICHARD THIESSEN

Richard Leigh Thiessen, 54, died July 18, 2009, in Everett, Wash., after a long disability caused by Huntington’s Disease. He was born Nov. 8, 1954, to Harold Thiessen and Marie Zuercher Thiessen in Elkhart, Ind., and grew up in Donnellson, Iowa, Summerfield, Ill., and Snohomish, Wash.

He spent most of his professional life as a geology professor at Washington State University in Pullman. Starting in his undergraduate days at Western Washington University, he maintained a lifelong interest in international folk dance, even dancing with the care home staff even during the final stages of his illness. He also loved travel and had made extended trips to Europe, Egypt and Israel. He will be missed for his good humor and ability to bring a smile up to the very end.

Survivors include three children, Nathaniel, Matthew and Lydia; six siblings, Renette Davis, Rosilyn Switzer, Connie Jackson, Jon Thiessen, Mike Thiessen and Doug Thiessen; 15 nephews and nieces; and his ex-wife.