Robert Thoesen

Robert J. Thoesen, leader of the Bob Thoesen Orchestra, which played the music of the Big Bands in the tri-state area for fifty years until his retirement in 2010, died January 13, 2015 at the Montefiore/Sound Shore Hospital in New Rochelle following a stroke. Mr. Thoesen was a lifelong resident of Westchester from his birth on December 22, 1937. Mr. Thoesen leaves a son, William Thoesen of New Rochelle; a wife, Diane Nichols of New Rochelle; and two brothers and their families, Guy Thoesen of Wilton, Connecticut, and Guy's wife, Suzie, and their adult children, Ashley and Ian Thoesen; and Richard Thoesen of Chantilly, Virginia, Richard's wife Judy, and their adult children, Lindsay, Bradley and Corey Thoesen.

In addition to leading the Orchestra, Mr. Thoesen played professional alto saxophone, clarinet and flute with his band and other big bands in the area. The Bob Thoesen Orchestra consisted of the classic big band instrumentation of 17 pieces: four trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, piano, bass, drums and guitar. His library of arrangements consisted of about 1,500 charts for the 17-piece band, including the original and most popular charts of the most famous bands. His wife Diane Nichols was the singer for the Bob Thoesen Orchestra for many years.

Mr. Thoesen served in the U.S. Army for four years, beginning in 1957. During his tour he was the leader of the U.S. Army Band in Washington D.C. He graduated from Iona College in 1965 and on a regular basis continued his personal pursuit of learning. Mr. Thoesen would listen for hours every day to his huge collection of records and CDs. Big Band music was often his choice, and he was considered an expert in the discography of Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Stan Kenton, Ray Anthony and Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Les Brown and Harry James to name a few. Mr. Thoesen had a deep interest in classical music and opera as well, studying the themes, structure and orchestrations of the famous composers in these genres. His well-read personal library comprised thousands of volumes of Music History and Biography as well as World History, biographies of World Leaders, Politics, studies of Geography, Wars and Battles, Nature and Natural Phenomena. He was a particularly well-informed and passionate student of World War II. In addition, Mr. Thoesen was, for 34 years, a Letter Carrier in the Rye Post Office, from which he retired in 1992. Since that time he as been employed as a driver by the Hertz Rent-a-Car Company of New Rochelle.

Many will remember the Bob Thoesen Orchestra playing numerous large, well-attended and enjoyable dances at the County Center in White Plains for the Westchester Parks and Recreation Department. The band also appeared at the New Year's Eve celebrations at the County Center for at least ten years. In addition the band played at almost every country club, yacht club and shore club in the tri-state area on a regular basis. The band also played many outdoor summer concerts in Pelham, New Rochelle, Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Mt. Vernon and the Bronx.

Mr. Thoesen was well-known for his original and authentic personality which gave a colorful presence to the band and to his life. He was well-loved by his family and his many friends who will miss him. A memorial celebration of his life is to be announced and will be held in the spring. Donations to the Musicians' Union in Bob Thoesen's name will be much appreciated.