Robert H. Thomas

Obituary of Robert H. Thomas
Robert H. Thomas, age 85, passed away late on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Briarwood Health Care Facility in Iowa City, Iowa.
Robert Herbert Thomas was born on June 7, 1940 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. He shared this birthday with his (slightly) younger twin sister Margaret. He was the fifth of eight children born to Clarence Herbert Thomas and Mary Margaret (Nelson) Thomas and lived in Albion, Iowa. His parents divorced and both remarried, and he welcomed two siblings born after his mom's marriage to Chauncy Cavanaugh.
He attended Albion Schools and graduated in 1959. He joined the U.S. Navy on June 15, 1959 and moved to California where he was stationed on the USS Coral Sea, an aircraft carrier. He served for four years and then was honorably discharged on May 2, 1963. While in California, he also helped Clarence and Monica Thomas build their house in Clear Lake, California.
Returning to the Albion/Marshalltown area, Robert got a job at Dunham-Bush later that year. Shortly after, the company was forced to layoff the newest workers. Emboldened by the layoff he asked out one of the secretaries there that had caught his eye, Marcia J. Kothenbeutel. She said yes. They continued to date and they were engaged on Christmas eve that same year and married the following year on June 12, 1964.
Starting on November 20, 1963, Robert began work at Fisher Controls in Marshalltown as an electrician. He transitioned into a position as a machinist, retiring from Fisher Controls July 1, 1995. He was also a volunteer fire fighter for the Albion Fire Department. He enjoyed time with family, playing card games, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa Cyclones, the San Francisco 49ers and most recently the Indiana Fever.
Over the first ten years of their marriage, Robert and Marcia were blessed with two daughters they loved very much, Tami Jean (Thomas) Krchak and Marci Lynne (Thomas) Denney. He also loved his sons-in-law Kyle Krchak and Seth Denney. Robert loved and enjoyed spending time with his six grandkids (from oldest to youngest): Noah Krchak, Samuel Denney, Luke Krchak, Isaiah Denney, Josiah Denney and Abigail Denney. Robert valued education, supporting his grandkids in their activities, and spending time with them.
He is preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years, Marcia, his parents & step parents, as well as siblings Paul Thomas, Richard Thomas, Dorothy (Thomas) Sutherland, Patricia (Cavanaugh) Hanagan, Sherry (Thomas) Lloyd, Thomas Cavanaugh.
He will be missed by his daughters and their families, his surviving twin sister Margaret (Thomas) Vannatta, oldest sister Marlys (Thomas) Keeler, and younger brother, Marvin Thomas, as well as his many nieces and nephews and extended family, as well as close friends.
A memorial fund has not been established at this time. A private service for the immediate family will be held, with military honors for his time serving in the US Navy.