Robert B Tieszen

Robert Benjamin Tieszen, 84, passed away June 2, 2023. He was born on October 27, 1938, to Benjamin V. and Dorothy Hofer Tieszen on the farm homesteaded by his grandfather, Derk V. Tieszen, in 1894 near Marion, South Dakota. Bob grew up on this farm. The elementary school that he attended was a one-room school house in the Rosefield District 67, and he was the only student in his class! He attended high school at Freeman Academy in Freeman, S.D. After attending Freeman Junior College for one year, he then went to Bethel College in N. Newton, Kansas, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in February 1961. While attending school in Freeman, Bob was in the peace club and sang in a choir at the academy, as well as singing in the a cappella choir. At Bethel he was in the radio club, student Christian fellowship, the math club, and was on the Graymaroon (yearbook) staff. Upon his confession of faith, Bob was baptized on May 29, 1955, by Rev. T. A. Van Der Smissen at the Bethesda Mennonite Church of rural Marion, South Dakota. Following his years at Bethel College, Bob went to Kansas City, Kansas, for his alternative service to the military. He worked as a laboratory aide in the chemistry clinical laboratories at Kansas University Medical Center for two years. While at Bethel College, Bob met Caryl Smith, and they were married on March 16, 1962. They lived in Kansas City, Kansas, while Bob finished his 1-W service and Caryl taught third grade in Johnson County. Bob continued working in the chemistry lab for several years. Two children were born to Bob and Caryl - daughter Michelle and son Jonathan. Bob and Caryl lived in Wichita, Kansas, for many years. They were active members in Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church. Among other things, Bob served as an usher, a trustee, sang in the choir, and belonged to several house church groups over the years. Bob attended Wichita Business College and also taught classes there. Later he worked as a computer programmer and was a part owner of IDS, a computer service bureau, for a number of years. Bob’s interests included sailing and racing his Sol Cat catamaran, fishing, traveling, looking at the planets and other objects in the night sky through his telescope, chasing steam engines, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. He sang with the Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus for many years and enjoyed going on several tours with the group, the highlight of which was a European tour. Another joy of Bob’s was being able to travel to Zambia and Zimbabwe, Africa, while their son, Jonathan, was serving as a teacher at Sikalongo Mission in Zambia. After retiring to Moundridge, Bob and Caryl worked for Choice Books of Kansas for a number of years. Bob also helped with harvest and mowing a nearby park established in the memory of his nephew Wayne. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his nephew Wayne, his sister and brother-in-law Naomi and Willis Wollmann, his sister-in-law Anita and her husband Dub Rakestraw. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Caryl of 61 years, daughter Michelle, son Jonathan and his wife Julie, granddaughters Anna and Claire, nieces Janet Wollmann, Jean Wollmann, Joyce Goldstein, Marilyn Regier, and many cousins and friends. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 10, 2023 at First Mennonite Church of Christian. Private burial will take place at First Mennonite Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Disaster Service or Habitat for Humanity in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, PO Box 410, Moundridge, KS 67107.

Robert B Tieszen

October 27, 1938 - June 2, 2023