W. Adam Thomas III

W. Adam Thomas III, 30, of Media, died peacefully Aug. 21, surrounded by loved ones, from a relapsed brain tumor, Medulloblastoma.

He was married to Katie Karesh Strumpf, to whom he shared the connection of having both battled cancer.

Born in Charlotte, NC, he had lived in Charlotte, Atlanta, Texas and Chattanooga with his family before laying roots in Media.

Mr. Thomas excelled through the Rose Tree Media School District. While at Rose Tree Elementary School, he qualified for the Johns Hopkins CTY program, giving him the opportunity to study at Amherst College while an elementary school student. At Penncrest High School he was a standout in numerous activities including varsity football, HiQ, Envirothon, Europe Trip and more, while holding a challenging AP course load. He was the recipient of the prestigious Xerox Scholarship Award at Penncrest and graduated in 1998.

He earned his bachelor's degree at Bates College in East Asian Studies and Law, a major that he designed, allowing him to study abroad in Japan, China and Austria. He earned his J.D. at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Law and completed a certificate in Intellectual Property Law, served as president of the IP Law society, founded a chapter of the ACS, and helped clients at the Community Economic Development Clinic.

Inspired by learning about the power of information, Mr. Thomas pursued a legal career focused on democratizing knowledge. He was a telecommunications attorney who dedicated his career to the public interest. Most recently he served as Staff Attorney for Public Knowledge, a Washington, D.C.-based public interest group, working to defend consumer rights in the emerging digital culture. Prior to coming to Public Knowledge, he was a legal intern with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a fellow with Free Press, a litigation specialist at Covington and Burling, and active in Pennsylvania politics.

Mr. Thomas lived his passion as an attorney Public Knowledge, where the W. Adam Thomas Fellowship will soon help others obtain the dream he once held.

Even in death, Mr. Thomas is still contributing, giving the gift of sight to two anonymous individuals.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the W. Adams Thomas Fellowship at Public Knowledge. at the Web page, http://app.etapestry.com/cart/PublicKnowledge/default/item.php?ref=3442.0.55972885.

Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife, Katie Strumpf; his father, Bill Thomas; and his brother, Ian Thomas both of Upper Providence.

A Memorial Celebration of Life ceremony was held Sept 25 at Providence Friends Meeting House, 105 North Providence Road (Rte. 252), Media.

Arrangements were by Rigby, Harting and Hagan Funeral Home, Media