Rudolf "Rudi" Thill
March 07, 2010
Rudolf Thill passed away Sunday, March 7, 2010. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 13th at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 815 High Street, Des Moines. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the church.
Rudi was born on July 18, 1924 in Katscher, Germany to Alfons and Martha Siegert-Thill. As a young man during WW II he was drafted and sent to fight in the Afrika Korps. After six months he was captured by the Allies to spend over three years in prisoner of war camps in Tennessee and Texas where his respect and understanding of Democracy grew to cause him to return later to become a citizen.
After the war Rudi was sponsored to come to America. His first job was as a night porter at the Hotel Savery. He enrolled at Drake University and often walked there from the hotel to attend classes. He received his undergraduate and Master’s degree there, and continued to work on a PhD at the University of Iowa. He spent many happy years as a Professor of History and German at Grand View College. In his retirement he wrote Adrift In Stormy Times, a memoir of his life in Germany and America.
Rudi loved travel, art, photography, music, cooking, gardening, all nature and especially bricklaying, a craft learned professionally while in Germany. The Gardenhouse, his biggest and most prized project, was the place where he and Sigrid were married. It was also the place of many parties and events such as the family Thanksgiving dinners.
Rudi is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife, Sigrid; son, Stephen (Iris); step children, Thomas Dickson (Janell), Robert Dickson (Lizabeth), Emily Gaylord (James); sister, Margarete (Fritz) Schmid of Germany; grandson, Koen; step grandchildren, Callie Dickson, Bradley Dickson, Molly Dickson, Max Dickson, Anne Gaylord, Jeremy Gaylord; nephews, Rudolf Schmid, Rupert Schmid; niece, Johanna Deubler all of Germany; adopted family, Diane Nguyen, Hai Pham (Anna), Loni Pham, Cindy Moore (Chad), Anne Pham, and Mary Pham.
Rudi’s family expresses a special thank you to Ramsey Village for the loving care given to Rudi and his family.
On-line condolences to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Leonard Tinker
06/26/2023
I took Western Civilization from Rudi Thill 1963-64. Hogan's Heros was prime time. Rudi would come into class the next day and say "We were stupid but we were not that stupid."
A town in Iowa was burning books . Till came in class with the Des Moines Register and said "We did this. This is a crime against humanity."
Steve Fleagle
08/20/2013
I met Prof. Thill in 1979 while attending Grand View...he was, without question, the most interesting Prof. I ever met.
I think about him periodically...and, in my travels, I've told many stories about my experiences with him. He made me laugh...a lot.
While at Grand View, I took every class he taught.
I'm a better person for having met Prof. Thill. I'm greatly indebted to him...he made my life more interesting.
Matt Hickman GVC '73
05/11/2012
I too was a student of his at Grand View College in the early 1970's. He was a most impressive teacher.
I took a course he taught on WWII. He knew everything in the book about the European theater in WWII. The only time I was ever able to trip him up was on obscure event in the Pacific theater.
My condolences on your loss.
John Copic
05/10/2012
Sigrid: Sorry for your loss. Rudi Thill was the best teacher I ever had. Western Civilization early 1970's. Was thinking about my time at Grandview and did an internet search.
Steven Jobst
04/02/2010
Rudi was truly a treasure and our hearts go out to you, Sigrid and family, in your loss. Rudi was the kind of special person who could live the life he did and yet remain completely humble about his accolades and special talents. He could work with his hands as well as with his head, and only in seeing his obituary did I realize, for example, why he was so good at laying bricks or stone.
We will miss his gentle smile, his calm approach to life, his merry wit, and his expansive views of the world in which we live and the people who populate it.
I am sorry, Sigrid, that we could not be there physically to support you. But Jill and Christopher and I look forward to seeing you in Colorado -- a place that I know Rudi also loved.
Jane Becker Miller
03/29/2010
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember sitting on the couch at my parents in Waverly and hearing about his coming to the US under such strange circumstances. He talked of going through Springfield on a train as a prisoner of war. He will be very much missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
Sincerely,
Jane (Harold and Anne Becker's daughter)
Kristi Becker
03/29/2010
Dear Sigrid,
I was so sorry to hear that Rudi passed away. My deepest sympathy to you and all the family. I hope to see you soon again. I was in Waverly a few years ago, Sigrid, and was able to see Anne. She was such a beautiful person. Love to you from Kristi Becker, Anne and Harold´s eldest daughter
John and Robbie
03/29/2010
Our condolences to you, Sigrid, and to the family on the loss of Rudi. I remember him with fondness from visits at my mom's in Waverly. I look forward to reading his book!
Love,
John
(Anne and Harold Becker's son)
Bev Beam Hornig (daughter of Lois Becker Beam-Omah
03/28/2010
I met Rudi at the Becker reunion in Waverly and I think again at Anne (Harold's) Becker's funeral. I'm so glad I had requested his book; what a treasure to have it. He was a gentle man! My grandfather, Godfrey Becker was the brother to Sigrid's father, Sike.
Nancy Meyer (Lois Becker Beam's daughter)
03/25/2010
Our deepest sympathy to your family. He sounds like a wonderful man. I may have met him at some Becker reunions..........
Jim Beam
03/24/2010
So sorry to hear of Rudi's crossing over. Unbeknownst to me I was reading his book as he made his transition. I met him only briefly at a family gathering but was struck by his living so fully in the moment and his zest for life; and I'm sure he's living it full bloom now, still, in the next realm. I must speak to him in spirit now as time has not allowed me a second rendevous.
Jo Hauglid
03/18/2010
Dear Sigrid and Family:
My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting and visiting with Rudi on several occasions when we were in Des Moines at my sister's home, Jan Williams. Rudi was such a wonderful, gentle and kind man and it was a pleasure to get to know him. We know he is enjoying his earthly reward and in paradise with the Lord. What a glorious Easter celebration he will have this year! We wish all of you peace and a time to heal.
Kirk and Anne-Marie Bergman
03/14/2010
Dera Sigrid and Stephen, We are both very saddened to learn that Rudi has left us.
We had him for History at Grand View College in the mid 70's.
It was an honor not only to have been his students, but to have known the man as well.
Rudy was brilliant, fascinating, had a zest for the current daily life, and
because of his life's experiences, had a real desire to see that history never repeat itself.
Rudy was a real-life hero, with the sacrifices he made to be the man he wanted to be. Rudy was charming and debonair. The time in his classes flew by. He was demanding and everything you'd want in a professor. There was nothing he didn't have some knowledge of.
We knew that his one love for many years was his son Stephen, and later, his wife, Sigrid.
We were in Des Moines a few years ago, and "popped" in on Sigrid and Rudy. We moved out of Des Moines in 83, and didn't keep in contact, and even though he didn't remember us from Adam, Rudy was his charming self, and Sigrid, entertaining strangers in her home, was relaxed and lovely. We had a wonderful time.
We thought of him often, we have his book, we have our memories, and our continued love for Rudy
Gene Nelson
03/12/2010
Another one of the good guys is gone. I was a student in Prof. Thills Western Civilization class at Grand View. I would say that he was one of the most influential and interesting teachers that I ever had growing up. We all loved his stories of being captured in WWII. He was tough, but he made learning fun. My life is better for having known him. I express my deepest sympathy in your loss.
Gene Nelson
Grand View 66
James Eidbo
03/12/2010
I met Rudi after reading his book. Rudi wrote about being a German solder and then a POW
in the USA, an amazing story who's title was no exaggeration - Adrift in Stormy Times. I was lucky that my mom dad were friends of his and got to meet him that way. I only knew him a little but, wanted to say he was truly a great person with many gifts of spirit and knowledge that he enjoyed sharing. I am sure anyone who got to meet Rudi or know him would agree that they were lucky to know him. "Thanks Rudi"