Reinhold Max Thiele
Sep 2, 1926 -
Dec 9, 2021
Reinhold Max Thiele Sr. was born Sept. 2, 1926 on the William M. Tupper Steamship in Kuskokwim Bay, near Jack Smith Bay on the west coast of Alaska. Reinhold's parents were Carl Thiele, originally from Torgelow, Germany, and Anastasia (Clark) Thiele, Yup'ik and Athabascan, born in Kolmakowsky Redoubt, Alaska, a former trading post on the Kuskokwim River.
At just five years old, Reinhold took his first airplane ride in McGrath, Alaska. He and a friend had been watching a biplane flying overhead and were certain it would crash. Much to their surprise, the plane landed safely in a nearby field and Percy Hubbard, a well-known Alaska bush pilot, jumped out of the cockpit. Hubbard asked the boys if they wanted a ride, tossed them in the backseat and strapped on a belt. He told the boys, 'Whatever you do, do not unbuckle that belt!' That day, Hubbard took Reinhold and his friend for the ride of their lives.
An inspired Reinhold went on to earn his pilot's license at age 17. That same day he bought his first plane and flew it from Anchorage to his family's home in Alexander Creek, where he picked up his little brother George and took him for a celebratory ride. Reinhold made his airplane work for him, flying it down to Bristol Bay where he and his brothers commercially fished for salmon. In small, 30-foot wooden boats, the brothers delivered salmon to canneries lining the Nushagak River.
Reinhold obtained a certificate to operate his airplane for hire, and soon after he landed a flying job operating the Waco, C195 and Norseman aircraft for Dennis Fenno, owner and operator of Bristol Bay Airlines in Dillingham. While working for Bristol Bay, Reinhold met his future wife of 52 years, Gloria D. Fenno, a dispatcher for the airline and the owner's sister.
Continuing his passion for flying, Reinhold pursued a job as a bush pilot at Northern Consolidated Airlines (NCA). During his time at NCA, Reinhold traveled all over Alaska, and was based in the communities of Aniak, McGrath, Dillingham and Bethel. In 1957, he upgraded to Captain on the Douglas DC-3 and transferred to Anchorage where he later upgraded again to the Fairchild F-27. Reinhold ended his professional pilot career as Captain on Wien Air Alaska's Boeing 737, and later served the company as a simulator instructor. Though Reinhold owned and operated many planes in his lifetime – 19, to be exact – his favorite was a Piper PA-18 Super Cub that he worked hard to rebuild.
Despite being a professional airline pilot, Reinhold never missed a season commercial fishing for salmon. He operated his own boat out of Bristol Bay, a custom build from Anacortes, Wash., and also set netted in Cook Inlet on wooden boats he personally crafted for that type of fishing. In the winter months, from the 1950s to 70s, Reinhold and his brother George owned and operated a big game guide service that catered to big game hunters from all over the world.
Throughout his lifetime, Reinhold was many things – a professional pilot, big game guide and commercial fisherman – but he was always a wonderful and loving husband and father. Reinhold's many family members and friends were lucky to enjoy his 95 years on this earth.
Reinhold was survived by his eight children and their spouses, Elsie Lackey, Reinhold Max Thiele Jr. (Sonny) and Anita, Gloria B. Thiele and Tim Christian, Karl Jacob Thiele (Jake) and Bonnie, Tamara Thiele (Tammy) and Tim Kelley, Stephanie and Bob Thompson, Thane and Tom Piscoya, and Georg and Michelle Thiele. He left behind 18 grandchildren, Jeannieann Mathis, John Lackey, Tiffany Tutiakoff, Shannon, Max, Aleksandr and Hunter Thompson, Delaney and Rutger Thiele, Ryan and Nate Warren, Jordan Thiele, Zachary, Kadea, Sophie and Karsten Thiele, and Shane and Tyler Piscoya; and many great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Gloria D. Thiele; parents Carl and Anastasia Thiele; siblings Otto Thiele, Carl Thiele, Bertha Tolbert, George Thiele and Louise Novak; and grandson Jacob Thompson.
Reinhold's celebration of life will be held February 5, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Alaska Aviation Museum located on Lake Hood at 4721 Aircraft Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99502. Everyone is welcome to attend.
