Lasting Memories

David Paul Thysen
Feb. 27, 1943-Jan. 22, 2012
Portola Valley, California
Submitted by Lisa Scholin

David Thysen, a longtime Portola Valley resident of 38 years, died January 22, 2012, ending his courageous and honorable fight with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig?s disease.

David was born to his parents Paul and Betty Thysen and grew up in Hillsborough, California, with his sister Dixie and brother Mark. He attended Burlingame High School and graduated with an engineering degree from San Jose State University. He received an MBA from Golden Gate University.

In 1968, David joined the Peace Corps and served as a teacher for two years in Ethiopia, an experience that always remained an important part of his life.

David enjoyed a long and respected career as a packaging engineer, spending the last two decades as an independent consultant developing solutions for companies such as Johnson & Johnson and many others in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. David also worked in both engineering and management positions at Syntex Labs, Verbatim Corporation and Memorex.

Growing up, David developed a strong connection with the outdoors and throughout his life joined his family on many backpacking, camping and skiing trips -? spending time in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, as well as many state and national parks.

This love of nature led him to move his young family to Portola Valley in the early 1970s, where he purchased a home at the top of Los Trancos Woods and explored its many hills, trails and creeks with his three children.

People who knew David remember him as one of the most honest and genuine people they have ever met. He loved to laugh and spend time with those closest to him.

In 2002, he married Beverly Rees, who brought David much joy throughout their relationship. They developed a strong circle of friends through Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and later through their local ALS support group. The two enjoyed filling their home with laughter and friends, hosting many parties and dinners throughout the years.

Through his church, David volunteered with Bread of Life providing meals to the hungry in his local community, and serving as a leader of support groups.

David?s family was heartbroken to learn of his diagnosis with ALS in October 2008. The progressive motor neuron disease caused David to lose all use of his arms and hands and weakened his body.

Even during this time, he always looked on the bright side and never complained. He enjoyed his final years immensely, spending winters in Palm Springs surrounded by friends and family, visiting the Rees family in Pennsylvania, and on annual Thysen family trips. He was an amazing role model for those dealing with a life-ending disease.

David is survived by his wife, Beverly; his three children, Lisa Scholin, Erik Thysen and Janel Thysen; and two grandchildren, Rye and Sev Scholin. His 96-year old mother, Betty Thysen also survives him, as does his sister, Dixie Laws and brother, Mark Thysen, and several nieces and nephews.

The community is invited to celebrate David?s life at a memorial service on Saturday, February 4 at 10 a.m. at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in Menlo Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Guardian Angels (www.alsguardianangels.com), which works to greatly improve the quality of life for those diagnosed with ALS.