My dad is a retired chemistry and physics teacher and he is the one that educated me on this subject, along with many years experience working on cars, and all sizes of trucks, and machinery.
I definitely agree with you on the fact that removing a good thermostat will not cure overheating, it is just that it will not cause it.
If he happens to have a bad thermostat or trapped air in the system removing it for testing is a good start.

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