THIES LARRY D

CW2 Larry "Thor" D Thies, CW2 was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 11/15/2021 at the age of 72.6
Fenton, IL
Flight Classes 70-43 and 70-41
Date of Birth 04/13/1949
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 129 AHC in 71-72
Call signs in Vietnam BULLDOG 14, THOR
This information was provided by Sammie Williams - Obit

More detail on this person: Larry Thies, 72, of Fenton, Illinois passed away Monday, November 15, 2021 at home. Larry was born on April 13, 1949, in Caledonia, Minnesota, the son of Howard and Clara (Alstad) Thies. He graduated from Caledonia High School in 1967 and later enlisted in the Army in 1969. He served in Vietnam as a Helicopter Pilot at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. He married Ginnie Gaustad in 1976 and they had two children. Larry worked in the pipeline industry for many years, first with Murphy Brothers as Vice President and corporate pilot and later on with Continental Fabrication Services and Michels Corporation. He thoroughly enjoyed boating, shooting and, above all else, flying. Larry was an active member of St. Peters Lutheran Church, serving as a deacon and singing in the choir. He did so much work behind the scenes and will be greatly missed. Those left to cherish his memory include his fiancé, Barbara Kophamer, Morrison; children, Wendy (Mica) Killinger, Port Byron and Justin (Connie) Thies, Caledonia, MN; grandchildren, Kai (Madelaine) Killinger, Russell, Lillian, Kamrin and Corbin Thies; brother, Joel (Chris) Thies, Longmont, CO; two nephews, Nolan and Michael; his dog, Thor and his many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Carol Jean. Services will be 10:00 am Tuesday at St. Peters Lutheran Church, 601 N. Jackson St., Morrison, with Rev. Anthony Appel officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm Monday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Ave, Rock Island. Additional visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:00 am Tuesday at St. Peters Lutheran Church. Following the luncheon, burial with military honors will be at Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Memorials may be made to either St. Peters Lutheran Church or Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences: www.wheelanpressly.com.

Burial information: Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, IL

This information was last updated 11/28/2021

Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters

Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list

Return to VHPA web site

Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025