Robert "Bob" Christian Theil

Robert Christian Theil passed away peacefully on March 21, 2024, at the age of 92 in the comfort of the beautiful home he built with his father. He was born in Wellesley Hospital in Toronto to Charles Henry Theil and Hedevig Jensen-Krogh Theil on July 8, 1931. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lorraine Anne ("Sue"); his four children: Karen (Stephen), Robert (Carolyn), Krista (Paul), and Kurt (Megan); and his five grandchildren: Elizabeth, Alexander, Rachel, Ty and Kael; his sister Edna (Jack); and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Jean (Kaj).

Robert ("Bob") grew up on Glencairn Avenue in Toronto, and attended Vaughan Road Collegiate in Toronto. After graduating high school in 1950, he worked with his father in construction and bricklaying, building homes in the Toronto area. He attended the Radio College of Canada in Toronto, and completed the "Electronic Communications" course in 1955. He was then hired by De Havilland, and worked on the systems installed in submarine hunter aircraft. (The excitement of experiencing zero gravity was a regular occurrence on many of the test flights.) His coursework at Radio College and experience working at De Havilland were instrumental in his interest to apply for a position on the newly built "Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line", high above the Arctic Circle. He was hired by Federal Electric Corporation, and completed a training course in Streator, Illinois, in the summer of 1957 to prepare for life on the DEW Line. For 18 months (from 1957 to 1959), Bob worked as a Radician, maintaining equipment which ran the radomes responsible for detecting threats to North American airspace. His experience on the DEW Line was life changing in many ways, and he was awarded with a "Certificate of Appreciation" from Federal Electric for his steadfast, diligent, faithful and loyal service. Words that capture the true essence of Bob.

Upon his return from the DEW Line, he worked with De Havilland again for a brief period before being hired by IBM in Don Mills in 1960. He was hired as an engineer, and among his ("top secret" as he would say) projects with them, he worked on international keyboard design. He had 27 years of service with IBM before retiring in 1987, and his job also included traveling to France and Germany, and to California, Florida, North Carolina and New York for weeks at a time. In his "retirement", Bob started his own construction business, returning to his roots in building and carpentry. He acted as a project manager for new apartment developments in Barrie and Orangeville, and gladly offered his time and expertise to family members and friends on their own home improvement projects.

Back in January of 1953 at a skating party organized for the Young Peoples' Group of St. Ansgar Lutheran Church in Toronto, Bob met the love of his life, Sue. As a couple, their love for each other endured, and when Bob completed his 18-month contract with the DEW Line, they were able to buy a home and prepare for their wedding. They were married on May 16, 1959, and settled in King City to raise their family. Bob then designed and built the home he had long wished for, with the help of his family.

Bob was an avid car enthusiast, naming any make and model at a glance, and treasuring his antique and classic cars. He and Sue enjoyed many wonderful afternoons on car tours with the Historical Automobile Society of Canada during his retirement. Bob also loved music, especially jazz, and was an excellent harmonica player and proficient whistler. He was always whistling--whether he was working or not--often attracting the attention of neighbours and nearby chickadees.

Proud of his Danish heritage, Bob was a member of Sunset Villa Association, a Danish-Canadian club in Crieff, Ontario. (He and his father were instrumental in finding the property for this facility in the 1950s.) The family enjoyed many Danish Constitution Day celebrations there, and of course the delicious food like his mother used to make. Bob was also a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Maple, Ontario. He served on the Church Council for many years, and also gladly assisted with any building repairs.

Bob's wish to remain in his home until his passing was facilitated by the never-ending love and support of Sue and family, as well as many compassionate caregivers. In this regard, the family wishes to especially thank the caregiver team at ColRespect for their steadfast and heartfelt care of Bob. The family also wishes to thank the staff at King City Medical Associates, the staff at King City Pure Pharmacy & Wellness Center, and the PSW home care team from Home and Community Care Support Services, Central region.

One of Bob's most memorable life experiences was standing under the Arctic sky full of Aurora Borealis shimmering overhead, and feeling at one with them. He is forever a part of them now. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. For those interested in making a donation, in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations being made to Southlake Regional Health Centre, Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, or the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com