Dr. A. Charles Thielen died peacefully on Sunday, February 26, 2017, just shy of his 88th birthday at Fountain Springs Health Care Center in Rapid City where he had resided with his wife Nancy since 2014.

Arthur Charles Thielen, also known as Charles or Chuck Thielen, was born on March 9, 1929, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Arthur Carl and Myrtle Bernice "Bee" (nee Jobe) Thielen. Chuck loved growing up in Aberdeen. After graduating from Aberdeen Central High School in 1947, he enrolled at Northern State Teachers College (NSTC) in Aberdeen where he graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in history and music.  During his college years Chuck played the drums in several Aberdeen big bands.

In the summer of 1950, at age 21, Chuck worked as a counselor at the YMCA camp at Pickerel Lake in northeastern South Dakota. This is when he first met 15-year-old Nancy Mae Dewhirst of Aberdeen, who spent summers at Pickerel Lake with her sister Linda and parents Neil and Marie Dewhirst.  It was during this time that Nancy developed a crush on Chuck.

Anticipating that he would soon be drafted for the Korean War, Chuck voluntarily enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951. In 1952 he shipped-off to Korea as a PFC with the 7th Marine Regiment where he was assigned to a mortar squad.  At one point, he was on the front lines for 90 days and nights in freezing cold temperatures.  He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he received during an intense enemy mortar attack that killed one Marine.  Chuck later received a battlefield promotion to corporal, in addition to receiving three battle stars and three unit citations.  While in Korea, Chuck received numerous letters from Nancy, sparking a serious romance.  He was honorably discharged in August 1953.

Upon returning home, Chuck re-enrolled at NSTC and graduated in 1954 with a master's degree in history and U.S. government. Chuck and Nancy were married in Aberdeen on August 14, 1954.  In the fall of 1954, Chuck accepted a teaching position at Spearfish High School.  In 1956 Chuck began teaching history and choir at Sturgis Brown High School where he also directed an all-female singing group called the Chantells. While living in Sturgis, Chuck and Nancy welcomed daughter Kristi, son Paul, and son Andrew.  It was during this time that Chuck played the drums and Nancy played the organ for many dances in and around the northern Black Hills.

In 1964 Chuck accepted a teaching position at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology as an assistant professor of U.S. history and government. During his early years at Tech, Chuck directed a large all-male choir known as the Singing Engineers.  In 1968 Chuck took a two-year sabbatical and moved his family to Laramie, Wyoming, where he earned his Doctorate of Education.  He became a full professor upon returning to Tech and was later promoted to Dean of College Relations by President Schleusener.  Chuck travelled the country for many years giving speeches promoting Tech and was widely known as an expert on the American presidents and their wives.  Chuck retired from Tech in 1993 after 29 years.

Chuck's sense of humor and sharp wit were legendary. One of his famous one-liners concerned his beautiful and talented wife, of whom he would say, "She was the best I could get with the car I had."  Chuck was the bookkeeper at The Nancy Thielen Music Studio from its inception in 1980 until it closed in 2011.  Chuck was proud of his wife's accomplishments and spent many enjoyable hours at the studio where he got to know countless piano students over the years.

Chuck was a member of many professional, civic, and social organizations in Rapid City, including the Rotary Club (President in 1974), the Marine Corps League, and the advisory committee for the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base.  Chuck was appointed by Governor Kneip to serve as chairman of the South Dakota Fine Arts Council from 1971 to 1972.

Chuck enjoyed many happy retirement years. He and Nancy spent countless summer months at their cabin on Bass Beach at Pickerel Lake.  He was an avid golfer and tennis player at Arrowhead Country Club for many years and he made a hole-in-one at The Golf Club at Red Rocks.

Chuck was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Nancy of Rapid City, daughter Kristi Thielen (Wayne Gilbert) of Belle Fourche, son Paul Thielen (Sandie) of Rapid City, and son Andrew Thielen of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  He is also survived by six grandchildren, including Rachael Gilbert, Rebekah Pfahler (Scott), Joshua Gilbert, Trevor Thielen, Troy Thielen (Sara), and Matthew Lerud (Ashley).  He is also survived by five great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister.

Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 5, 2017, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Rapid City on Monday, March 6, 2017, at 10 a.m., with burial at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Chuck's family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Fountain Springs Health Care Center and asks people to consider sending memorial gifts to the Salvation Army, the Humane Society of the Black Hills, or Emmanuel Episcopal Church.