David Thun Obituary
David Louis Thun, 87, died on Thursday, October 31, 2024, fully engaged in community service to the end of his long and productive life. He was vacationing in Pawley's Island, SC with his beloved wife Barbara Boothby Thun and other family.
Born in the Reading hospital, he was the eldest son of the late Louis R. and Cynthia Cameron Thun and a grandson of Ferdinand and Anna Grebe Thun. After graduating from the Kent School of Kent, CT, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Williams College in Williamstown, MA. He attended and received a Diploma in Business Administration from the London School of Economics. He later served his country honorably as an officer in the United States Coast Guard.
Following the legacy of his grandfather, Ferdinand Thun, one of the founders of Wyomissing and the Wyomissing Industries, David returned to Berks County in 1988 and purchased Magnatech International, a textile manufacturing company specializing in braiding machines. The company had grown into an industry leader in braiding technology since its founding in 1892 as the initial component of the Wyomissing Industries.
The impact David had on his community is immeasurable. He served on countless advisory committees and boards, including the Penn State Berks regional campus, the Schuylkill River Greenways, the Reading Hospital, and the Berks County Community Foundation. He treasured opportunities to learn and expand his knowledge and then, in the family tradition, to use that knowledge to shape the world into a better, more beautiful place.
His personal passions included sailing, rowing, diving and flying. He built two helicopters from scratch in his garage. Only weeks before his death he went diving in Indonesia with his dearly loved granddaughter Dasha Cameron Barach, who shared his love of travel and adventure. He was also devoted to her mother, Noel Balliett Thun, the only child of his first marriage to Sandra S. Glassmeyer.
A major interest throughout David's life was the preservation of farmland. He particularly treasured the farm in Lower Heidelberg Township established by his mother, Cynthia, who was raised on an historic homestead in Tasmania. Cynthia inspired a love of the natural world in David and his siblings.
He attended the family church, Christ Episcopal Church of 5th and Court Street of Reading.
His family will remember him as a man who was loving and generous. In addition to his loving wife of 43 years, Barbara Boothby Thun, David is survived by his daughter, Noel Balliett Thun of Nova Scotia; granddaughter, Dasha Cameron Barach; and siblings: Cynthia Cameron (Thun) Willauer, wife of George Willauer, of Lyme, CT; Noel Elizabeth (Thun) Karasin, wife of Herbert Karasin, of Wyomissing; Michael Thun, husband of Lynne Moody, of Atlanta, GA; and Alexena Susan (Thun) Frazee, wife of Robert Frazee, of Barnstable, MA. David is also survived by Barbara's children: Ted and Christine Kolva of Reading; Kathleen and Robert Newville of Sinking Spring; Jeffrey and Heather Kolva of Norfolk, MA; seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Details about a memorial service will be forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in David's memory may be offered to charitable causes of particular interest to those who wish to donate. The Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc, of West Reading is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
