Richard J. Thomas

Captain Richard J. Thomas, Medical Corps, United States Navy (Retired) passed away on August 16, 2025, at the age of 72 due to complications associated with lung cancer. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was also a dedicated physician who served his country with distinction. Born in Methuen, MA, Captain Thomas moved frequently during his childhood as the son of a Naval Officer. He entered the Naval Academy in June 1971, graduating with a degree in Biosciences in 1975. He earned selection for the Navy Medical/Osteopathic Scholarship Program and graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1979. Captain Thomas completed residencies in Occupational Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He also earned a Master's Degree in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. In the Navy, Captain Thomas served in a variety of assignments while stationed in California, Maryland, Hawaii, Virginia, and Japan. He also served at sea on the amphibious warfare ship USS Guam (LPH 9), hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), and in a number of additional duty assignments around the world. His final assignment on active duty was as the Occupational and Environmental Residency Program Director at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). Captain Thomas earned the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), and various additional individual, campaign, and service awards including the Arctic Service Ribbon and unit commendations from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and the Republic of the Philippines. Following retirement from the Navy in 2005, Captain Thomas and his family settled in Annapolis, MD. He continued to exercise his lifelong passion for teaching as an Associate Professor in the residency program at USUHS through July 2025. He also continued in public service as the Deputy Director of the Office of Occupational Medicine at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Captain Thomas was a member of St. Anne's Parish, where he worked as an active member of the Cemetery Committee to ensure dignity for those buried there. He was also a member of Indian Landing Boat Club, where he enjoyed spending time outdoors and on the Severn River. He harbored an abiding interest in history, particularly in the parts of the world where he lived with his family and traveled over the years. He was also fascinated by his own family history including immigration from Ireland and elsewhere. He will be remembered as an incredibly kind, patient, and self-effacing person who was genuinely interested in learning about people and more than willing to help all of those around him. Captain Thomas is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Anne Dierdorff Thomas, sons James and Ross, daughter Anna, daughters-in-law Ali and Kathryn, and four grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Bill and Jack Thomas, and sister Stephanie Lee. He is predeceased by his parents Joseph and Evelyn Thomas and sister Cathy Thomas. A memorial service is scheduled for October 11, 2025, at 11am at St. Anne's Church in Annapolis, MD with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne's Cemetery (https://www.stannes-annapolis.org/donate) with "General Cemetery Fund" or "Garden of Peace and Remembrance" in the memo line.