Sr. U. S. "Ret" LTC Robert M. Thomas Army

Robert "Bob" M. Thomas Sr. was born on April 20, 1941, in Springfield, Missouri to Marjorie Linwood Thomas (née Gibson) of New Hampshire, and Lee Cole Thomas of Missouri. Bob passed away at age 84 on October 17, 2025, at his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Chris Ketcham; sons Robert Jr. (Kellie) and Brian; sister Ann Highfill of Springfield, MO; four grandchildren, Robert Garrett, Katherine Marie, Gillian Danielle, and Jacqueline Virginia; and one great granddaughter, Katrina (Allie).

LTC Thomas had a remarkable 28-year career in the Army beginning in 1963, which included deployments in the Republic of South Korea, the former Republic of South Vietnam, the former Federal Republic of West Germany, and several Forts here in the US. He served his country as an Infantry Officer in Vietnam during combat, as part of Contracting Command Europe and the Army Management Staff College. During his early tenure in the Army, he earned his Airborne wings, Ranger tab, and the Expert Infantry Badge. He was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in combat, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Service Medal, a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, several Army Commendation Medals, and the Air Medal. Some of his time in Vietnam is chronicled in the book Voices from Vietnam by Norton. He proudly displayed his Expert Infantry Badge (EIB) when in uniform versus his multi-starred Combat Infantry Badge (CIB). He routinely stated earning the EIB put forth strenuous effort whereas the CIB was merely given after spending days in a combat zone.

Upon his Army retirement, he worked full time as a procurement analyst while concentrating on improving his enjoyment of golf. After his complete retirement, he had business cards printed with crossed golf clubs and his new title as "A Person of Leisure". He never gave up trying for a hole-in-one.

Bob graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in History from Southwest Missouri State College (now Missouri State University) in 1963 and there began his lifelong faithful membership in the Kappa Alpha fraternity. He continued his education by earning a Master's Degree in Management from Webster University. Bob liked to share his knowledge by giving tours as a volunteer docent at Manassas Battlefield Park (Bull Run) and Chancellorsville Battlefield.

He was a lifelong admirer and connoisseur of the dramatic works of Donald Fauntleroy Duck. Halloween was Bob's favorite holiday, when his grandchildren were small, pulling Katie, Garrett, and Gillian in a wagon so they could knock on more doors was a cherished memory.

His marriage to Margaret Ann Minor ended in divorce. Bob is predeceased by his brothers, Larry of Peculiar, MO, Jerry of Los Angeles, CA, and William of Amarillo, TX.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home chapel. A reception will follow from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Virginia Heritage Club House, 5300 Balls Bluff Road, Fredericksburg, VA, 22407.