Allan R. "Al" Thieme

Al Thieme

Saginaw, Michigan

Al Thieme was one of a kind. The most charming rebel, he was a high school dropout, and a kindergarten drop out even before that. An American dream story, he was a first generation born American who started his own plumbing and heating business then became an inventor out of his garage. He lived by the ethos that there must be a better way. He continued to learn, not only as a voracious reader, but through every person he met – wanting to hear their story and input and ideas and every conversation ended with a hug, turning everyone into family. Hard work solved almost everything, and when that didn't work he turned to journaling and his steadfast faith.

In 1968, Al changed the world for people with walking disabilities when he invented the first motorized mobility cart – the Amigo. The cornerstone of his life, Amigo Mobility continues to be a family-owned business forever inspired by Al's legacy and passion. Al and his wife Beth worked side by side at Amigo Mobility for 50 years, never retiring as he called Amigo his "#1 spot he wants to vacation at." He loved going to work and deeply enjoyed being with Amigo employees, connecting with customers and being active in the Saginaw Community. His incredible life story was published as a biography in 2023 There Must Be a Better Way: The story of how Al Thieme invented the Amigo and helped mobilize people with disabilities.

Al's favorite three things were: Beth, his family and Amigo Mobility. He was the type of person who celebrated every snowfall, took pictures of the beautiful sunrise, admired the deer and an efficient plumbing layout in a new build. He was the first to say cheers and celebrate the small moments with a drink with friends, and always jumped up to wash everyone's dishes. He never worried or stressed, having ultimate faith in God. He made friends with everyone he met and regularly conversed through email or letters with friends across the world. His hair was always combed, even bringing a comb while snowmobiling to fix his hair after, often saying that "I look in the mirror and look good, so I know I can't feel bad." Al loved dancing with Beth, driving fast in his Tesla, on a jet ski and especially on a snowmobile, going up north and being with family and friends. He never complained and was waterskiing, racing co-workers up the stairs, climbing (and getting stuck in) trees and snowblowing his own driveway well into his 80's. He was always frugal, having lived in a trailer with an outhouse he never took anything for granted. I'm sure there are still leftovers in his freezer from the 2020 Amigo Christmas luncheon.

Surviving Al is his wife Beth, and their children Jennifer (Dan) Kehres, Jordan (Rachel), Katelyn (Tony) Eimers and Alexander (Matti); and grandchildren Delaney, Lola, Boden, Brecken, Stella, Hendrik, Cora and Milo; and his sister Emeline Goodman, special nephew Jim (Janet) Thieme, with Al's late wife Marie, surviving him are his children Jill, Joe (Sheree), June (Cliff) Adamson, Jess, Jack (Carrie) and grandchildren Carla, Caryn, Casey, Jake, Carol, Mike, Kris, Rhyan, Jahred, Aubrey, Rebecca, Rachel, Joel, Jason, Jeremy, Jacob, Chad, Jarret, Jack Jr., Jonah, Jayna, Joshua, Julianna, 31 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Al is predeceased by his brother Alden, sister Miriam, sons John and Adam.

Funeral Liturgy will take place 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 1310 Malzahn, Saginaw, Michigan. Rev. Fr. Steven Gavit and Rev. Fr. Richard John will officiate. A private burial will take place in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit at the Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd. (between Shattuck and McCarty), where the family will be present on Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Saint Gerard Society, a Saginaw-based non-profit with a mission to make faith-filled education available to all children, www.saintgerardsociety.org.

"I've been so very fortunate and I encourage anyone out there with a dream to pursue it. Read books. Take chances. Fail but get back up. Find your passion and work so very hard to make it real." - Al Thieme