Robert Thomas

Robert Thomas
Robert Nelson Thomas passed away peacefully at Primrose Retirement Community on March 11, 2025, at the age of 95. Bob was born July 9, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan, to J. Milton and Catherine Thomas.
Bob met the love of his life, Melba Stoll in August 1951, just prior to leaving for his senior year of college. He graduated from Michigan Technological College in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. Bob and Melba were engaged December 25, 1952. After graduation in June 1952, Bob moved to Louisville, KY and worked for E. I. Dupont in Charlestown, Indiana until entering the Army in March 1954. At the completion of basic training, Bob and Melba were married June 7, 1954, in Louisville, KY. They moved to the Army base in Edgewood, Maryland where Bob was stationed at the Army Chemical Center. Upon discharge in March 1956, Bob and Melba moved to Midland where Bob worked for Dow Corning as a chemical engineer. He worked with silicone and latex and had many patents.
Bob's passion had always been photography. While working at Dow Corning, Bob and Melba started their own photography studio in their home in 1968, doing portraits, weddings, graduation pictures, team pictures, etc. As their business grew, Bob quit Dow Corning in 1974 to pursue photography full-time. They outgrew their home studio, and in 1980, they built a new studio at 4608 N. Saginaw Road in Midland. He and Melba operated Thomas Photography in Midland 43 years. Their business transcended the age from black and white photography to color to digital. It encompassed the time when people appreciated professional portraits rather than "selfies". Bob had his own dark room where he developed, retouched, and printed his own pictures – everything from start to finish. Over the years, Bob received many awards for his photography works.
Bob is survived by his wife Melba of 70 years. They have three children: Mary Kay Faber (Jerry) of Midland, Linda Thomas (Harley) of Bear Lake, and Stacy Carr of Sanford. They have six grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
A private ceremony to celebrate Bob's life will be held by the family. Condolences can be made to Melba Thomas in care of Primrose Retirement Community at 5600 Waldo Avenue, Midland, MI 48642.
All of us at Ware Smith Woolever are honored the Thomas family has entrusted us with the care of their loved one.