Carl R. Thien, 88, was born in 1918 in Queens, NY. He grew up during the ‘Great Depression’ and worked many odd jobs to help his family. He was once a caddy for Babe Ruth.

In May, 1941 Thien volunteered for the U.S. Army during the mandatory draft. After Pearl Harbor, he was deployed to the Pacific, serving in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. He served as a soldier and combat photographer and earned the Bronze Star for photographing enemy tanks. He served until the end of the war, when he married his long-time girlfriend, Virginia 'Ginny' Kelly. View the Eons tribute to Virginia Thien: http://obits.eons.com/obitplus/display_obit/12787653

Returning from service, he worked as a photographer in New York City for the NY Post. He became the father of identical twins Linda and Carol in 1948, and eventually had two more children: Dale and Carl. He was a devoted father, serving on the Miller Place school board for 17 years, and community member, as editor of the Port Jeff Record. He worked his way up at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY, from typesetter in the graphic arts department, to Public Relations Director upon his retirement.

After retiring in 1977, he cultivated the love of photography, writing, wildlife and orchids he shared with his wife. He authored the weekly column 'Words From the Scribe' for Hernando Today from 1999-2000 and authored three books during this time, including the novel 'The Search for Molly Malone'. Carl lived happily in Spring Hill, FL until the death of his wife of 58 years in 2003. Later, Carl lived at home with his daughter Dale until his peaceful passing on February 27, 2007. He is survived by his four children and four grandchildren.

The memorial service for Carl Thien will take place at Hernando Pasco Marieri Care Center at 10am on Friday March 23. If you wish to attend or send remembrances, the address is:

Hernando Pasco Marieri Care Center
6801 Rowan Rd.
New Port Richey FL 34653

His interment will take place at 1 pm on Friday March 23rd at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL with military honors.