Robert Carl Thalman

Cadillac, Michigan - Robert Carl Thalman, 93, passed away Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at the Curry House in Cadillac. He was born on June 5, 1925, in Cadillac to Guy and Lola Thalman. Mr. Thalman married the former Elizabeth Virginia Hess of McBain, Michigan on March 21, 1946. 

He grew up in Cadillac, where he attended high school before enlisting at age 18 in the Army during World War II.  After basic training in Alabama and California, he traveled to foreign theaters during the war serving as a medical technician in the U.S. Army hospitals caring for the wounded. Stationed at the Fiji Islands initially, he was later assigned to Calcutta, India before returning home via Italy, Germany, France, en route to New York then Chicago.  He was a proud, yet humble veteran of our Greatest Generation.

He lived in McBain, MI, Cadillac, MI, Pagosa Springs, CO, Conroe, TX, and Manton, MI, before returning to his hometown of Cadillac.  He retired after a career in construction where he was project superintendent for several construction projects across Michigan and Ohio.  He then enjoyed a second career in managing residential real estate sales at Twin Shores development on Lake Conroe, TX.  Mr. Thalman completely remodeled one home and personally designed and built five other new homes for his family during his lifetime.  He was accomplished in all phases of construction.  His interests included hunting and fishing, carpentry, and Detroit Tigers baseball.  He also enjoyed fishing for trout in the rivers and streams of the Cadillac and McBain area, hunting deer, partridge, and pheasants, with ice fishing as a winter pastime.  He and his wife, Betty enjoyed traveling throughout the western United States after retiring.

Bob's marriage of over fifty years produced two sons, James (Carol) Thalman of St. George, UT, and Douglas (Linda) Thalman of Traverse City, MI, all of who survive him; his two grandchildren, Bob O. Thalman of Dayton, OH, and Heidi A. Thalman of Traverse City, MI; one sister, Janet Mercer of Kalamazoo, MI, as well as other family members, friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Thalman; two sisters, Edna King and Helen Norman, and a brother, Keith L. Thalman 

Visitation for friends and family will be held on Friday, June 7, 2019, from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at the Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home in Cadillac. Private military committal services will take place at the Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Cadillac Area Honor Guard or to Hospice of Michigan. 

The family is being served by the Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Carl Thalman, please visit our floral store.