Search by Name

Search by Name

RICHARD THOMAS Obituary

THOMAS--Richard, known affectionately as Dick, master ballet teacher, mentor, willful iconoclast, sublimely human and adored by umpteen generations of dancers, is said to have died on Saturday morning July 27. For those of us who knew him, who were privileged to brush against his vital and provocative nature, he lives on! The ripples from his kindness, wisdom, sensibility and wit endure. So too, his divine lickety-split petit allegros, even his excesses, which were excessive, his passion for dancing and dancers, and his knowledge of ballet technique combined with his intellect and his gift for cajolery to impart the lesson to we who were eager, so eager. He lives forever within us. He has become a part of who we are. Indelible. It seems only appropriate that Dick should have the last word, as was his wont and dessert deserved. Accordingly: in ballet class, half a century plus ago, though it seems like yesterday, at the conclusion of the Grand Allegro, he opined to the class and to the Gods if they would only listen and learn "the cow jumped over the moon but he was still a cow". Eliot Feld, Christine Sarry, Daniel Levans, we three his students, and all at Ballet Tech, past, present and future. With love.

Published by New York Times on Jul. 30, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD THOMAS

Not sure what to say?





I had the pleasure of accompanying his Master Class in Peoria, Illinois.

Debbie Cain (Piorkowski)

Work

March 8, 2024

My favorite iconoclast lives on forever in me.

Alice Billman

School

July 24, 2022

Remembering wirh love, for Dick for Eliot (we go back about 50 years) Danny (from his days at HSPA) Christine,
Bronwyn, and, always, Barbara. What glorious days in and out of the studio! Good memories replace sadness
and I send love to all still around. Trees have already been planted.

Penny Frank

July 24, 2021

I trained as a scholarship student for a few years with these masters, Madame Fallis and Mr. Thomas. Often standing at the bar behind Allegra Kent, Elliot Feld, Christine Sarry, Cynthia Gregory and many of the NYC ballet stars of the time. It was an inspiration that held my life together at the core. I remember being so surprised when Richard Jr. joined adagio class one day and Twyla bounding about in the back studio without music. These are the glorious skeletons of my childhood and greater moments were never had again. Fifty years later, you are still missed.

alice billman

Student

April 11, 2021

Richard was a brilliant teacher, and a funny man whose world incorporated the ballet, his family and very important the dogs. I send love to Bronwyn , Sean and Richard . The memories of classes at the Broadway studio and talking to Barbara and Richard are among my favorite memories.

Penny Frank

Teacher

July 24, 2020

Richard, Thank you for being in my life.
Now realize how much you gave to me.
Thank you
Eleanor Elizabeth Bobb
Dancer dancing in this dance of life
to God be the glory

Eleanor Elizabeth Bobb

September 9, 2013

My deep sympathies to Richard & Bronwyn & their families at the sad loss of their father. Mr. Thomas, as well as Miss Fallis, had such an enormous impact & influence on so many lives.

I am very grateful to have been a part of the NYSB family for a brief time, as one of the honored scholarship students. It was an invaluable education, as well as a revelation into the very high standards of the world of ballet. Mr. T was tough, wise, caring, unrelenting, humorous teacher with a dry, piercing wit; uncompromising, fierce, impossible, challenging, inspiring, brilliant, intelligent, & so unlike anyone I'd ever met. He & his wife redirected, touched, & changed so many lives in unimaginable ways for the better.

I can still hear his voice in class: "Sun, a monkey can jump high, but it can never do brisé voilé, assemblé, entrechat six!" He pushed us to do the impossible all the time.

His singing & whistling while teaching was so revealing & charming. The little bits of dancing he did while we sweated at the barre completely surprised me at first glance, & showed his joy in the music & the class. Oh how Miss Fallis & he insisted on musicality. She was truly a dancer's dancer, & her musicality was unsurpassed. Barbara Kahmi's musicianship lent just the right element, & she was a perfect foil to Mr. T's humor.

In his 12:00 class once, the front row had Cynthia Gregory on the far right, with Bronwyn next to her, while Merrill Ashley was on the far left, with Christine Sarry next to her. Heather Watts stood in the middle row, with her rows of pointe shoes neatly lined up on the large dusty window sill. Sean Lavery added to the mix. Mr. T pointed out how Christine always managed to right herself in the middle of a jump, no matter how off balanced she might be. He proceeded to push Cynthia to work just as hard on her left side doing Grand Plié in 5th, pirouette left en dehor to developé the left leg 2nd, saying, "If you work on your weaker side, your stronger side will get better." It was surprising to me that he even had a correction for such a ballerina.

So many treasured memories with Mr. T & Miss Fallis ... They are greatly missed, & forever valued. Rest in peace.

David Sun

August 30, 2013

It's so difficult to put into words the effect Richard Thomas (and Barbara Fallis) had on me. I arrived in June of 1967, a vertically-challenged dancer who came from Nazi-style training in Chicago. Dick brought the joy of dancing back to me. I looked forward to class every day, whether to see Morgan running through the studio or to watch and learn from the likes of Toni Lander, Lupe Serrano, Cynthia Gregory---so many more. And the brain stimulation--I'd never experienced that before in a dance studio! When Dick called me Freddushka,I felt like I finally mattered as a dancer and as a person. When I ended up a dancer in Las Vegas, I like to think Dick got a kick out of that. After all, it is like a circus there.
There's a hole in my heart now. My sympathy to Richard and Bronwyn and all the family.

Fredda Corre Kilgore

August 15, 2013

During the 70s and early 80s I was living in NYC on 83rd Street between West End and Riverside Aves. During that time, The New York School of Ballet was truly my ‘home away from home'. Reading these moving tributes has brought back many memories from my years of study with Richard and Barbara. “Second position!” ringing out from Richard as he bounded down the stairs to begin another inspired, challenging class…attempts at those maddening petit allegros brought forth “THAT looked like a Horn & Hardart vegetable platter swimming all over the plate!” (except for Bronwyn's!...which were always perfectly executed and a joy to watch)…the thrill of being invited into 12:00 class, learning not only from Richard, but from watching dancers like Bronwyn, Daniel Levans, Sean Lavery, Christine Sarry and so many others…I remember catching my breath when stars like Royes Fernandez and Natalia Makarova entered that beautiful, old studio (and you don't see floors like that anymore!)…then there was the day I nailed four, perfectly centered pirouettes en pointe without falling off and heard Richard exclaim, “atta girl, Nancy!” (it never happened again in his class and I was so happy he saw it!)

Richard and Barbara were immensely gifted teachers and extraordinary individuals who had a lasting impact on my life as a dancer and as a person. I have thought of them both so often over the years. They each gave so much of themselves to us—not only their gifts of technique and vast knowledge of ballet's history, but their personal wisdom as well on how to navigate one's life in the topsy-turvy worlds of ballet and theater. I always wished I had seen them perform on the stage. I will be forever grateful to my teachers in NJ, Eddie Verso and Janet Mitchell, who brought me in to NYC and enrolled me in that magical, never-to-be-forgotten place where I learned and experienced so much.

Bronwyn and Richard, my deepest sympathies to you and your families for your loss.

Peaceful rest, Mr. T…and thank you…your passion pour la danse lives on in all of us!

Nancy Vanderwart (Grote)

August 13, 2013

I am so sorry to hear of your loss Richard and Bronwyn. I have many fond memories of your dad and Iris. I lost my mom 2 years ago, your dad was my last link to New Rochelle. You are in my thoughts.

Dorothy Lehsau-Findlay

August 11, 2013

I was among those priveleged to have benefited from Richard's wisdom and generosity as teacher and mentor. My first introduction to Richard & Barbara was during the time they taught at the Pa. Ballet and they were both instrumental in my decision to move to NYC. The 56th St. studio quickly became a 2nd home. Nothing seemed to ever escape Richard's eagle eyes and inquisitiveness, either in the classroom or in our lives outside of the studio! He imparted so much to us in his wonderfully inimitable way, he remains unforgettable. My condolences to Bronwyn, Richard and their families.

Barbara Kravitz

August 10, 2013

Our lives move on, we get busy, and it is with sadness and regret that we realize we haven't thanked the people who were/are important to our growth, not just in dance, but in life.

Thank you, Richard and Barbara, for so many incredible memories!

I first met and took their classes as a very young dancer (the youngest in the company) with the PBC. I grew and grew (literally) and no one knew what to do with me. So I left the PBC for NYC and Richard and Barbara's studio on 56th St. There, some of the greatest dancers in the world (ballet, modern, and Broadway) attended Richard's morning class. “Getting” the combination happened to be easy for me, “doing” them was another matter. But it was in the daily attempt of doing—the process—that technique improved. Several of us who would “get” the combinations quickly were called upon to demonstrate for the rest of the class. His comments were succinct and hilarious. Perched on his stool in the corner, he once yelled at me in that voice of his, “Rose Marie, you should be wearing support hose from the neck down!”

He taught not only dance technique but also dance history. I loved it when he would expound on the Bolshevik Revolution and its impact on Russian dance. He told me to take classes with Nemtchinova, who was teaching in a small studio in the Ansonia, in order to really understand the Romantic style.

The move to the studios on upper Broadway, once home to NYC Ballet/SAB, made it possible for him to keep his dogs with him while he taught. (Remember those slippery spots left by the chows?) He said that “children and dogs” were always welcome in his studio. His morning café con leche and bialy were always a staple.

His quick wit prevailed when assigning positions for the center exercises. I had joined the Tharp Company—all women, at that time—and when we were in class together he would call us to the center: “All right, She and the She-its!” Years later when Annemarie (another very tall woman) and I were in class he'd say, “Let me have my two beacons,” placing us on opposite sides of the row.

One comment he used in various forms over the years and during particularly difficult combinations was, “If you can't do this combination you better go get a job dipping chocolates with Fanny Farmer!” That voice! I have carried it with me in my mind and in my heart. It will never be silent. My heart filled with love goes out to Richard and Bronwyn and their families and to the larger family of grateful students of the dance.

Rose Marie Wright

August 9, 2013

Richard was a marvelous teacher, eyebrows dancing as he concocted devilishly difficult combinations. Memories of the dogs, the flow of talent through the studio, and trips to get coffee at the diner...lucky me, I got to man "the desk" and witness genius. Condolences to Richard and Bronwyn.

Karen Paskow (Kellett)

August 8, 2013

I loved the classes , whether Barbara's or Richard's..for their intelligence, humor, musicality, and for seeing so many friends, both in the ballet world and the modern dance world, who studied there. I had a short involvement teaching modern to the kids,for which I admired Richard adding to their dance education. I lived across the street on 82 St so saw them almost every day outside of class which rounded out my familiarity with the family. I watched Sean and Bronwyn grow up and hope Richard's tough style came across with the love I know was there.
I send love to Richard, Bronwyn, Eliot, Danny and all who were in that inner circle.
Penny Frank

Penny Frank

August 7, 2013

Richard Scott (the name he was called by his aunts in Paintsville) ; Dick (the name he was called by cousins and others) never forgot his roots and returned to his farm in Kentucky for his "leisure retirement".
As a younger cousin, I remember how excited we were when he would visit in the summer. He would sit on the porch and tell "his audience" of aunts and cousins stories about the ballet and his travels.
I am sending deepest sympathies to Bronwyn, Richard, grandchildren & all who loved him.

Charlotte Pack Balzer
Cincinnati, Ohio
Contact Me

August 7, 2013

What can I say that it has not already been said about this man. He has influenced my life to such a degree that years later as I seat having dinner with my husband Walter and my daughter Alana talking about Richard tears were streaming down my chicks. I was crying and laughing at the same time. Yes, those petite allegro combinations drove me crazy. Just as I thought I had it he would tell us that we had to reverse the combination. But, just as I thought that I had reversed the combination he would asked us if we had read the New York Times in regards to a specific article. "Children have you read this article in the Times?" he would ask and continue with his opinion on the article as I struggle to get the ballet combination correct . It made it very difficult for me to concentrate because I could not understand what the article in the New York Times had anything to do with the petite allegro that we were trying to learn. His mind was always going. To this day I can see his eyes staring into my eyes. I always had the impression that he could see right into my soul and know what I was thinking and feeling. Especially when he would ask me a question during one of our private conversations. He had the guts of saying exactly what he thought and believed whether you agreed with him or not. I truly respect that. Classes with him and Barbara Fallis were special. You knew that they care. I thank them for what I learned from them. I first studied with Richard and Barbara when I was a member of the Pennsylvania Ballet Company. They used to travel from NY City to Philadelphia to teach us. I think Richard Jr. was about 10 years old and Bronwyin was maybe 7 years old..... Sorry, not sure. I send my love to Richard and Bronwyn and their families.

Hilda Morales

August 7, 2013

As one of the lucky ones, a scholarship student under Mr. T, I suffered his harsh ways, along with the plentiful wit and wisdom. Mr. Thomas brought all the history and great lineage of ballet into those famous, beautiful studios. He challenged the very notion of almost everything, just to see if you were for real. He hated dilettantes, adored the accomplished/well-versed artist, but respected most the steady and true working artist - who shows up to do the work... "Talent is the ability to produce on command." -- RIP Mr. T.

Christopher Flory

August 6, 2013

Richard was a wonderful teacher and person and had one of the funniest and driest sense of humors you will find, and the most difficult and challenging classes.
I loved him, his beautiful family, and his classes, and those memories are close to my heart even today.
He will be missed by all that crossed his path, and I send all my love and thoughts to Bronwyn and Richard and their families.

Colleen Neary

August 5, 2013

Richard Thomas and his wife Barbara Fallis touched countless dancers. I remember in class, first at the 56th Street and later at the 2291 Broadway studios, legendary dancers Lupe Serrano, Royes Fernandez, Tony Lander, Bruce Marks and Cynthia Gregory, as well as actress Joanne Woodward, future dance personalities Twyla Tharp and Eliot Feld, and my school friends Eve Walstrum, (Owen) Sean Lavery, Hugh Appet, Daniel Levins and Richard Thomas (son). There was an exciting atmosphere not only because Paul Newman or Jerome Robbins were among some personalities who came to visit or because the wonderful pianists Gladys Celeste and Barbara Kamhi played, but more because the school was a place of no-nonsense learning, it was place where anyone who truly wanted to grow, could. Many memories are passing through my mind, and it is sad to realize that I will not see Mr. Thomas again, but I also celebrate his extraordinary legacy.

Raymond Lukens

August 5, 2013

I met Dick about 7 years ago, sitting on a bench at a horse show chatting as people do, I had mentioned my granddaughter's name and he said, "MY mother's name was Grace." I have known him only as fellow lover of the American Saddlebred and his life on the farm in Ky. I had no idea that he was also a dancer. I will miss our chats.

Linda Simpkins

August 4, 2013

Oh Richard, I will miss you so much.

Gretchen Schumacher

August 4, 2013

The school was a magical place and shaped my whole life. "Thomas-Fallis" sparks an incredible flood of memories for so many of us. We only spoke every couple of months or so, but I'm sure I will continue to talk to him.

Sylvia Yoshioka

August 3, 2013

He touched us all, he changed us all. He speeded up our lives and shared our triumphs. He could be impossible and wonderful at the same time....a one of a kind man.

Bruce Marks

August 3, 2013

The memories of Richard Thomas are flooding my mind and the words are not coming forth....only feelings.
He was a guiding force in my career from the first day I stepped foot in his class in 1963. He presented
the most challenging classes I had ever seen and then remind the class "you can teach a monkey to do
double tours but you can not teach him to dance"!

Thank you Richard for all the life lessons, love and care you bestowed on me. You live on in all of us.

Elizabeth Lee-Inouye

August 3, 2013

My deepest sympathy

James Brasic

August 3, 2013

Richard and Barbara were an essential part of my ballet training to broaden my skills from my early Balanchine and Russian training. Richard once said in class "Contrary to popular belief, this is not the School of Relaxed Dancing". But this is exactly what I needed to soften my arms and shoulders from the strong Russian influence I had. Leaving the arms hanging down by your side while you tried to race through his fast and complicated petite allegros was an excellent remedy for my stiff arms. He would also come by me at barre, take my extended stiff arm and undulate it like the bending "rubber" pencil trick to get me to soften and disengage it from the rest of my body. With Richard's off the wall comments to each dancer while they were busy at the barre trying to not mess up the complicated routine he just gave them at the barre, I sometimes wonder whether he was testing our concentration. He once wryly commented to me (when he knew I was having trouble with the speed and complexity of his combination) "I just learned how to artificially inseminate a dog...". He knew he had me and I lost the combination sequence, as he walked to the next dancer.
We will certainly miss him and my heart goes out to his son Richard, daughter Bronwyn and the rest of the family.

David Coll

August 3, 2013

One of the most inspiring teachers I ever had even though I only got to study with him for a week while he guest taught at the Lichine studio when I was an aspiring teenager. I remember him having us do frappe at the barre in 3/4 when the music was in 4/4 just to mess with our heads. A trick I still pull on my students from time to time.

Deirdre Howard Murnane

August 3, 2013

From 1976 to about 1979,my son Sheafe(ages 10 to 13) was a ballet student of Richard Thomas in New York.
When he left the class to pursue his interest in music Mr. Thomas said to me about Sheafe, " That boy has no feet!. But he is a very
hard worker, I know he will succeed in what ever he decides to do.

Today my son is an entertainment lawyer in New York with a degree in music.

Richard Thomas was a strict teacher,who demanded excellence from his students,but he was also caring human being. I send condolences to his friends and family.

Dina Harris Walker

August 2, 2013

What a wonderful teacher he was. I'm so glad that I was able to take classes and the New York School of Ballet.

Elizabeth Bauch

August 2, 2013

My life in ballet began in Mr. Thomas' school, the New York School of Ballet. Although I was too young to have him as a teacher, his proud, magnetic, powerful presence in the halls and studios of his school were like a beacon. I revered him and his history, and his school changed my life. Rest in peace, Mr. Thomas, and it comforts me to know you and Mr. Andros are together again.

Gavin Larsen

August 1, 2013

July 31, 2013

July 31, 2013

July 31, 2013

July 31, 2013

July 31, 2013

July 31, 2013

What an inspiration he was. I will always remember how he would stand at the top of the stairs at New York School of Ballet, and look down on the classes, his hands on his hips, followed by one of his dogs. A larger than life figure whom I can say I was blessed to know. I am soooo grateful for him founding New York School of Ballet, where I spent so many wonderful years. Now he and Dick Andros can continue their discussion about ballet!

Julie Paqual

July 31, 2013

A very, very good teacher who gave excellent (and popular) classes -- who, as the obit reports, had a very pointed and funny sense of humor.

I recall taking class and as Cynthia Gregory made her entrance, traversing the balcony her in street cloths and large Summer sunglasses to go change for her upcoming professional-level class, Mr. Thomas spotting her and exclaimed, "There goes Betty Boop!" She took it good-naturedly, smiled and put her hands next to her eyes in a cutsie pose, elbows out. Of course, the whole class was looking...

A friend told me how he encouraged her to not hide in the back by saying, "You can mess up in the back just as easily as in the front, so why not stand in front!?"

I also loved the space the school was in -- the former SAB/NYCB studios. I always felt such as sense of tradition and respect being there. Very awesome.

Thank you, Mr. Thomas for all that you gave.

Dean Speer

July 31, 2013

It is good to know he had a long life. I hope it was a good one. He and his wife clearly inspired many of us. Glad that "petite allegro" was mentioned in commentary....his eyes and eyebrows danced that as well. What a soul! Rest well.

Lee

July 31, 2013

What I learned from Mr. Thomas: intelligence and graciousness are not mutually exclusive, and passion translates in this world as hard and joyous work. Mr. Thomas, you will never leave those of us whom you taught.

July 31, 2013

Dear Dickie: Ginger and I remember you with such affection, you and sweet Barbara were part of the beginning our life together some 58 years ago, when you encouraged us to elope instead of going through all the wedding nonsense, we didn't take your advice, but we always remembered your kindness. We now have been married for 56 years, we thank you for being a friend and for our time together as dressing room mates. Dear friend rest well

Robert Barnett

July 30, 2013

Godspeed, Richard - and thank you for your innumerable contributions to the lives and careers of so many dancers. Your fierce spirit lives on... RIP.

Scott Nilsson

July 30, 2013

I literally can say I grew up at the New York school of ballet. My mother Barbara kamhi(silber) was the pianist and this became my second home, miss fallis and mr Thomas were like my second set of parents and my love for the arts and the actor I became began with them. Mr T made sure the words " I can't " were never in my vocabulary . He and my mom were best friends and enjoyed 30 years of partnership ... Pianist and teacher. He gave me strength and taught me to be tough. I pass this on to my kids and to this day I take class once a week and use what he taught me not only in class... But all aspects of my life.
Miss you forever
Katherine kamhi coghlan

Katherine Kamhi coghlan

July 30, 2013

With deep sympathy to all who loved Dick Thomas and sincere respect for a giant in the world of ballet pedagogy, who gave so much to the dance world by producing so many great artists...

Andrew Wentink

July 30, 2013

You were the best Mr. Thomas. I miss you.

July 30, 2013

It must have been around 1950. I was a starving ballet student and was sitting in Nedick's, a little coffee and donut
joint on corner of 57th and 7th Ave. Actually, in a corner of Carnegie Hall. Richard Thomas entered and sat beside me. I knew who he was as I'd seen him dance at City Center with NYC Ballet when I'd 'second act' performances.
I guess he noticed I was obviously so poor in my one pair of worn out shoes and threadbare pants. He bought me an orange juice, a donut and a coffee. Probably 25 cents at that time. I felt so grateful and always remember that. He was a kind and generous man. RIP

Richard Holden

July 30, 2013

Showing 1 - 46 of 46 results

Make a Donation
in RICHARD THOMAS's name

Memorial Events
for RICHARD THOMAS

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support RICHARD's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor RICHARD THOMAS's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more