Lt. Robert Thorn

1925 - 2012

LT. ROBERT THORN Robert Denman Thorn was born May 27, 1925 to Walter and Ethel Thorn in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and then married Helen Marie Lind in June of 1945. They later moved to Oroville and then to Chico, where he earned a B.A. degree in Public Administration from Chico State. Robert retired as a Lieutenant from the Butte County Sheriff's Department. During his many years of service, he ran the Police Academy at Butte College and was a founding director of the Butte County Search and Rescue program. Robert was also elected to the Chico City Council in May of 1975 and served for four years, serving as City Mayor for two of these years. Robert's love for the community led him to give back in many ways. In addition to his many leadership roles in the Sheriff's Department and City of Chico, he also helped start an annual Sheriff's Department toy drive for low income families. He was also a member of the Chico Elk's Lodge, SIRS, Chico Masonic Lodge, and a leader for the Boy Scout Explorer Post. After the passing of his wife Helen, Bob married Gladys M. Thill on June 25, 1985. They were avid golfers and members of the Butte Creek Country Club. They also greatly enjoyed spending time at their summer home in Gray Eagle. Bob passed away at a local medical facility on December 14, 2012 in Chico. He is survived by his wife Gladys, daughter Marie (Robert) Fickert, step-daughter Linda Brooks, step-daughter-in-law Ann Thill, two grandchildren Allison (Curt) Haselton and Keith (Alisha) Fickert, three great grandchildren Eli, Bella and Josiah Haselton, and five step-grandsons Ron, Michael, David, Stephen and Gary Brooks. He was preceded in death by his first wife Helen in 1984 and his step-son Pete Thill in 2012. A service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2012 at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 13539 Garner Lane, Chico. A private burial will then take place at the Chico Cemetery. Donations may be made in Bob's honor to the Butte County Search and Rescue, in care of the funeral home. You may share your thoughts online at Newton-Bracewell.com