Theodore “Ted” E. Theisen, a devoted husband and father, died at Memorial Medical Center, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Thursday, April 9, 2015. He was 88.

Mr. Theisen was born on Aug. 30, 1926, in Schenectady, to Mildred Dingman Theisen and Theodore Theisen.

He met the woman who would become his wife, Erna Bayliss Theisen, when they were both 12 years old.

He served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946 and was stationed on a ship in the South Pacific.

He married Mrs. Theisen in 1946 and they worked and raised their family in Schenectady and Altamont. Their marriage ended only with her death.

In 1992, they retired to Las Cruces, New Mexico, at the urging of Mr. Theisen’s physician.

“Ted thrived in the New Mexico sunshine and his health improved significantly for many years,” wrote his family in a tribute.

He loved golfing with his friends at the New Mexico State University Golf Course, working outside in his cactus garden, and spending time with his grandchildren.

“Despite less-than-robust health, Ted was a devoted husband who cared for his wife until her death from Alzheimer’s disease in 2010,” his family wrote.

Mr. Theisen is survived by his daughter, Katie, and grandchildren Emily, and Theodore IV, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, his caretakers in his final illness; Theodore III, of Chestertown; Harry L. Theisen, and his wife, Lynn Apkarian Theisen, of Missouri City, Texas; Conni Theisen Brown, and her husband, Steve, of Knoxville, Tennesee; his grandchildren, Mark and Kelly Theisen of Missouri City, Texas; Madison Lewis, of Schenectady; Brian Lewis, of Phoenix, Arizona; his great-grandson, Jordan Cole Wallace, of Missouri City, Texas; his brother-in-law, George Winn; his nephew, Russ Winn; and Billie Hughes Winn, of Las Cruces, New Mexico.

A private, family celebration of Mr. Theisen’s life is being planned.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 Montana Ave., Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005.