Dr. Arnold F. Theisen of Gloucester, Va., died on Oct. 16, 2022. Devoted husband to Judy. Father of John and Dan. Cherished Grandfather of Hunter and Katie.

Arnie was a man of art and science. Born in Redding, Calif., on Aug. 11, 1943, he was the sixth child of Joseph and Ethel Theisen.

After serving in the Air Force as an electronics technician, he went on to complete his B.S. in Geology from California State University, Hayward, in 1974. He worked at the U.S. Geological Survey in Arizona and Colorado from 1974 to 1990.

Throughout his life he was an avid model railroader, poet, and community theater actor. His lead role being that of Charles Dickens in “A Christmas Carol.”

He was awarded his Doctorate in Natural Resources from the University of New Hampshire in 1994 at the age of 51. With a passion for investigating the world around us, he worked as a contractor and an independent research scientist at Disney’s EPCOT, NASA, and other organizations until his retirement.

Per Arnie’s request, there are no services.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Planetary Society (www.planetary.org) or the Salvation Army.

Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.