Thomas, Reverend Owen C. Passed away on June 29, 2015 at The Berkshire Retirement Community in Berkeley, California. Owen Clark Thomas was born in 1922 in New York City and grew up in Port Washington, New York. He graduated from Hamilton College in upstate New York, and studied Physics in graduate school at Cornell as World War II broke out. During the war, he worked in the Naval Research Lab in Washington on advanced radar. After the war, in which many of his friends died, he re-thought his vocation and entered the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge. He was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1950, and completed his doctorate in Philosophy at Columbia and Union Theological Seminary in 1955. Dr. Thomas taught Theology and Philosophy at the (renamed) Episcopal Divinity School for over forty years, retiring in 1993, and is the author of ten books. He also served as the summer rector at Emmanuel Church in Dublin, New Hampshire for 22 years. Dr. Thomas was a lifelong, liberal Democrat, member of the ADA and Cambridge Democratic City Committee. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Margaret Miles, of Berkeley, California; three sons by his former wife, Bernice Lippitt Thomas - Aaron Beecher Thomas of Seattle; Addison Lippitt Thomas of Oakland; and Owen Clark Thomas, Jr. of Brasilia, Brazil - five grandchildren and one great-grandson. A memorial service for Dr. Thomas will be held at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Albany, CA on Saturday, August 15, 2015, at 2:00 p.m.

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Published by Boston Globe from Jul. 3 to Jul. 6, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for OWEN THOMAS

29 Entries

August 15, 2015

Peter M. Fairbanks sends his condolences to the Family.

At a ranch in the Big Horns, WY on motorcycle trip to CA

Peter M. Fairbanks

August 15, 2015

Dear Margaret, Addie, Aaron, and Owen, and families; I write to send condolences from the Fairbanks Family and was sorry not to be able to attend today's Memorial across the Bay. The Fairbanks's lived across the street from the Thomas's at 15 St. John's Rd. My sisters (Pam and Jennifer did their best to baby sit Addie, Aaron, and Owen; I gave them rides on my motor cycle when Bernice wasn't around; my brother Jonathan (a brief student at Harvard Div. Schl.) would argue religious technicalities with Owen; my mother Phyllis tried to keep track of the Thomas boys and her own brew; and my father, Rollin who, like Owen, was the summer minister to an Emmanuel Church, but in Manchester, MA. As Rolly and Owen would share, Dad preferred the more traditional 1928 Book of Common Prayer (that being closer to Cranmer's) which he would continue to use, despite Bishop John Coburn's objections (Emmanuel was a private Chapel) until his retirement after 44 years in 1982. I regret not knowing that Owen was so near because after navigating the various phases of youth (photo), humility would have allowed me to better appreciate Owen's wisdom and reflections. I hope one day to meet Margaret who must be a very special individual to have shared a life with Owen. Love to you all, Peter

August 2, 2015

Among the special thoughts and memories of Owen, was his ability to share, in a special way, his deep interest in the thought of Kierkegaard, William Temple and others. As for memories, I shall never forget Owen's smiles at the sight of the little twins, Aaron and Addison, splashing around in puddles in front of Winthrop Hall after a rain. Rest in Peace, Owen.

The Rev. Dr. Derald W. Stump, State College, Pa. (ETS, class of '59)

August 2, 2015

Owen Thomas' advisees at the Episcopal Theological School never ceased thanking him for urging them to take the presence of Paul Tillich during the final semester of his lectures at Harvard in 1961. We were also helped in our Christian formation by his Lenten advice of having lunch with anyone regarded as hostile or strange. Thanks be to God for this gifted, extraordinary man!
Roy Parker,OHC (ETS '64)

The Rev. James Wallis, Ph.D, class of '81

August 1, 2015

Owen was my theology teacher at EDS. He helped me pick a graduate school and we met at aar/sbl annual meetings for a number of years. He was a good friend. I feel the lose. God bless Owen.

The Rev. Jim Friedrich

August 1, 2015

Owen taught me to think theologically with wit and care, challenge and encouragement. Thanks be to God for this good and gracious man. We were blessed by his presence. May light perpetual shine upon him.

the Rev'd Dr. Canon Beth Marie Murphy

July 31, 2015

Owen was a great light at EDS during my time there. He taught me about theological reflection which enabled me to be a good profession at another seminary. I often referred to his book. May Owen rest in the everlasting peace and love of Jesus

William Rankin

July 31, 2015

Owen was one of the lovely people. Sally and I give sincerest thanks for his life, and for Margaret.

July 31, 2015

What a wonderful, witty, and holy man was Owen! For a while he spent summers near North Conway, NH where my father, Fessenden Nichols (ETS '29) had retired. He always spoke fondly of my dad, which meant a lot to me.
How blessed was EDS/ETS to have him for so long on its faculty.
Margaret, you and the family will be in my prayers. Catherine Nichols, EDS '83

The Rev. Anne Gilson, PhD

July 31, 2015

I loved the classes I took with Owen at EDS. While grounding us in the rich heritage of Anglican theology, he stretched our theological horizons, listened to our questions, and asked questions of his own. He created a home for me in Anglican theology at a time when the ordination of women was new and lesbian and gay people were not exactly welcome in the wider church. - The Rev. Anne Gilson, PhD-

July 31, 2015

Prof. Thomas' words at the 93 commencement capture the essence of the Episcopal Divinity School, and what one would hope would be the essence of the Church as a whole. The Rev Richard Witt

The Rev. Carolyn G. Jones

July 30, 2015

A terrific professor. The last of the ETS breed. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

July 29, 2015

One of the great Episcopal intellectuals and an indispensable member of the ETS/EDS faculty for the last half of the 20th Century. The Rev. Paul Buckwalter, ETS 1963.

Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook

July 29, 2015

Owen was a great teacher who gave much to his students. I still recommend his book for those starting the study of theology. May his memory be a blessing. Margaret and family -- you are in my thoughts and prayers.

(The Rev. Dr.) Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook, EDS '83, now Claremont School of Theology

July 24, 2015

How I miss this man, a true scholar, a true gentleman, a mentor and caring human being, who interviewed me for EDS admission ( in his living room), who was my "tutor" and remains one of the most thought provoking teachers I have ever known. What a gift to have been at ETS in the sixties with this dear man.
Craig Hammond, '67, Marlboro, Vermont

Glen Flowers

July 14, 2015

Dear Margaret,
I was very sorry to hear of Owen's passing. I certainly appreciated having the privilege of having him and you as clients all of these years.
Peace be with you.
Glen Flowers

July 13, 2015

One of my teachers who inspired me to keep on thinking beyond the obvious. May he rest from his labors.
Peace,
Rev. Dr. Mary J. Korte

Robert Banks Foster

July 13, 2015

So glad he lived this long. He was a wonderful teacher.
--Robert Banks Foster, EDS '75

John Kirkley

July 7, 2015

Dear Margaret,

I want to share one story about Owen that I'll never forget. Years ago, when we were still at St. Mark's, Andrew and I were eating dinner at Saul's in Berkeley - tucked away in a table in the back. I looked up to see a mother and her children being seated at a table up front. I was surprised to see it was the homeless family that had been sitting on the sidewalk, whom we had passed upon entering the restaurant. There, coming in behind them, was Owen. He spoke a few quiet words to the waitress - I couldn't hear what he said, but clearly he was making arrangements for them to eat. He then turned to the family and warmly said good-bye. And that was it. It was for me a great sign of hope and judgment; hope in that a prominent theologian was humbly living out the faith he proclaimed; judgment in that I had walked by on the other side of the road like the priest in the Good Samaritan story. Owen is my Good Samaritan, and one of many blessed examples of the countless acts of goodness that sustain the world unawares.

Ned Wolf

July 7, 2015

Dear Margaret, I'm sorry to learn of Owen's death. Your note earlier this year helped prepare me for his passing. I remember him fondly from my childhood at ETS. He was a steadying friend as I grew up and left Cambridge for college returning often to visit my parents. I remember his support in difficult times and his loving concern for people with mental illness. You and Owen were great upstairs neighbors at 9 Phillips Place! As a future college mathematics professor, I appreciated his having once enjoyed a course in differential equations. Not many priests have. My brother Steve and I liked his being athletic. My dad valued Owen as a colleague and once as a remodeler of houses. They teamed up to remove a dormer window from the wonderful house I now own in Heath. My condolences to you, Addie, Aaron, and Owen, Love, Ned

Joseph Lough

July 7, 2015

Condolences Margaret. I know it was not easy the last few years. We are fortunate to have known Owen during better days.

Margaret Rose

July 7, 2015

Margaret, I am so glad to have seen this and send you prayers and love. I remember so many good times at St. John's, EDS and more. With thanks for his life and thinking of you so much in this time. Margaret Rose

Mary Caucutt, EDS '92

July 7, 2015

Many thanks for a wonderful, thoughtful and faithful seminary professor and guide.

July 7, 2015

Our condolences to the family and especially Owen Thomas Jr who became our friend in Brasilia
Blessing The Rev Canon Patricia Powers and Elizabeth Daniel

Cathy George

July 6, 2015

Dear Margaret,
I am thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers at this time of loss. I am indebted to you as my advisor at Harvard Div school and to Owen for his introduction to Emmanuel Church, Dublin. Many blessings on you,
Cathy Hagstrom George

Cindy Bruns

July 6, 2015

Margaret, I am so sorry for your loss and the world is a bit less bright without Own in it. I give thanks for him and his life and our connection at St. Mark's while I was in graduate school there. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. And may the love of those far and near comfort you in your grief.

Georgia DuBose

July 4, 2015

Giving thanks for Dr. Thomas' life, and for his influence on Dr. Ellen Wondra, my theology professor. May he rest in peace, and rise in glory. Georgia C. DuBose+

Robert Rea

July 4, 2015

Margaret, I am saddened to hear this. The souls of the faithful are in the hands of God, and no torment shall ever touch them.

Barbara DeConcini

July 4, 2015

Margaret, I am saddened by your loss of Owen. Walt & I are holding you both in the light.

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