Daniel Bruce Thornhill

July 20, 1948 - June 18, 2025

Born on Coronado Island, California, to Daniel Whitfield Thornhill and Virginia Feineman Thornhill, joining older siblings Jeanne Thornhill Ulrich and David W Thornhill. In 1951, Dan's parents relocated their family from California to Arlington, Virginia, where the children grew up.

Dan attended Yorktown High School and afterwards Miami University of Ohio as a Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet, graduating with a bachelor's in economics in 1970.

During his US Naval career Dan: Attended flight school in Pensacola, Florida, receiving his wings as a helicopter pilot in May 1972. Flew Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). Was a Skylab recovery pilot in 1973. Graduated from National University, San Diego, with an MBA in Finance in 1978. Was among the first allowed to rescue South Vietnamese refugees, pulling over 400 ""boat people"" from the sea in 1979. Received a Sikorsky Award for a line rescue off the coast of San Diego in June 1983. Commanded his naval reserve unit at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan from 1991 to 1993.

In 1981 Dan left active duty, entered a naval reserve unit, and relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, for work with Control Data. In 1982, he met Katherine Guitteau while playing volleyball for the Phoenix Ski Club's coed team in Scottsdale. They were married later that year and in 1986 became the proud parents of their son, Scott Whitfield Thornhill.

In 1983, Dan began with Motorola as a software engineer and climbed the ladder as it later became Freescale and then NXP. A career highlight came when Dan accepted an expatriate assignment with his young family to Tokyo, Japan, working for Nippon Motorola from 1989-1993. This international adventure offered vast opportunities for the family, not the least of which was extensive travel throughout Asia, and led to many cherished, lifelong friendships.

Dan retired from the US Navy in October 1993 at the rank of Commander.

Dan retired from NXP in 2016 to Prescott, Arizona, where he learned to ride and care for horses with Katherine. They enjoyed many trail rides together, even riding in Prescott's 4th of July Parade.

Having attended the first USA Beatles concert in 1964, Dan remained a devoted rock and roll fan for life. Dan also enjoyed many decades of golf, bowling, and poker with his best pal Michael Bloxam. He achieved a long-time goal of participating (twice) in the World Series of Poker, senior division, in Las Vegas.

Dan and Katherine loved to travel and explored many areas of the world together. An ALS diagnosis in 2022 slowed Dan down, but they were able to visit family in Ireland and travel with friends and family twice into Mexico during the following months.

Dan possessed a brilliant mind, was a voracious reader, and great conversationalist. He could hold a conversation on most topics. He will always be remembered for his quiet intelligence and gentlemanly manner.

Dan is survived by his wife of 43 years, Katherine Guitteau Thornhill, his son Scott Thornhill and daughter-in-law Dr. Rachel Leonard, his honorary daughter Patricia Fritch (Daniel) Fribbs, and his extended family of cousins and nieces and nephews and in-laws.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date (""A big party, with rock and roll music"" per Dan's request.) His ashes will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in a separate service.

Dan's family extends their sincerest gratitude to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Without the latter, they would never have known that his ALS was service-connected. Without the former, they could not have borne his care. The VA's Copper Clinic in Phoenix and Opal Clinic in Prescott provided myriad equipment, medications, aides, and various health services which allowed Dan to remain in his home during his illness.

Donations may be made in Dan's name to ALS Arizona, 360 E. Coronado Road, #140, Phoenix, AZ 85004