Short summary on the life history of Gerhard Dietmar Theilig : Obituary: Dietmar Theilig - Boehme Africa (now DyStar Africa) (12/05/1938-30/11/2023)

Born 12th May 1938 in Leipzig-Moeckern. Confirmed on 10.05 1952 at Pfarramt Der Luthergemeinde, Crimmitschau. He had 1 sister, Ursula, who was 7 years younger than himself.

His father was in the textile trade and supplied the wool fabric for the army winter coats, and they lived at the army barracks in Leipzig.

His father was accused of industrial sabotage and would have been imprisoned. However, he managed to flee to West Germany with mother and sister.

Dietmar was left with his grandparents, Emma Minna and Max Willie Kirmse, where they lived in Crimmitschau. After his parents fled he was expelled from grundschuele (primary school) and was not permitted to return. He spent 1944 to 1952 in the grundschule, then 1952 – 1953 at oberschule Crimmitschau. Then completed course in dyeing at gewerbl. Berufsschule 2 in Reichenbach 1953 – 1956.

This was very devastating for Dietmar. However, living with his grandparents for about 4 years, was his happiest time. They taught him so many things about life and he was given a lot of advice by Grandpa Willie whom he adored and believed in.

At the age of 19 he was able to visit his parents and sister in West Germany, about 3 times, and after the last visit he did not return to East Germany.

He worked hard in jobs to pay for his studies at textile engineer school in Aachen where he completed his engineer in dyeing exams in 1952. Thereafter obtaining his dipl-ing (certificate) from Fachschule Koeln in 1984 (from 1974).

He further went on to join BASF in Ludwigshafen, from there was sent to Cape Town, South Africa, in 1967 to open the Cape Town office of BASF.

He was called back after 6 years and they wanted to send him to the USA to work there for BASF.

However, he loved it so much in South Africa that he returned, at his own expense, and settled in Glenanda, Johannesburg, where he was employed by Textile Chemicals, later changed to Texchem, owned by a family named the Beneke, being Swiss.

Thereafter he joined Boehme Africa, in Johannesburg, later moving to Pietermaritzburg, where a new textile and leather factory was built. He headed this company for 15 years as MD and then CEO for 16 years before retiring in 2000 at age 62.

Then as a sideline to slowly go into retirement, he sold weighing systems for a Dutch company called Ravas.

After 5 years he called it quits then settled down with other interests like golf, swimming, and hunting which was his passion even during his working career. He would often invite customers to join in a hunting party he had put together, customers coming from abroad and locally.

The carcases which they hunted was processed into biltong and dried sausage and distributed to all the staff members at Boehme Africa.

He also had quite a large of selection of trophies which was his pride and joy. He was a member of the KZN hunting and conservation for 30 years and when he was retired was afforded honorary life membership.

Dietmar played water polo most of his life and coached when he moved to Cape Town.

After his 80th birthday he turned to his other love, water colour painting. He spent many hours painting pictures of scenery, animals, birds, and this brought him much joy as his health was deteriorating and his activities of golf and swimming had come to an end.

The last year he stopped painting as that also became too tough for him.

He was well liked within the textiles and leather fraternity and made a success of the companies he headed.

He was awarded business personality of the week by Ernst & Young – Sunday Tribune, during his time at Boehme Africa.

In summary, Dietmar experienced good and bad times during life, but achieved so much and lived life to the full with his business and private travels across the globe.

He was content with his life achievements before his passing on.

Married Renate Froetschl on 11.3.1961. Two sons: Gero Theilig and Gido Theilig. Grandchildren: 5, Great-grandchildren: 3. Married 2nd wife: Elizabeth Theilig 28.12.99.