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From Judith Flaherty:
Bob died in a plane crash. This is my recollection of what Teri (his x-wife at this point) told me about what happened . . . Bob was fixing an engine on a plane with a student . . . He taught flying in single engine propellor planes. They needed a part and decided to fly somewhere to get the part. He let the student fly the plane. They were flying toward a mountain when a vertical wind shear hit them. The student didn't know how to control the plane and the windshear forced the plane into the ground. Bob once told me that he would feel cheated if he died in a car crash -- I guess because of all the death defying activities he did in his life like ski patrolling and flying seaplanes to spot fish for fishing boats. So he got his wish . . . He died in a way that was probably ok with him. He just died too soon.
Thanks for sharing this, Judith.
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Renee Antoinette Jones (Ashley)
Bobby and I were friends for years when we were very young--particularly at Fair Oaks. I'm so very sorry to hear he's passed. I think of him fondly and often.
Richard Elliott
Bob Thomas was a really fun guy, who always made me laugh. He always had that smile, like we see in his '67 yearbook shot. Gone too soon. I would have loved to chat with him. I am sure he'd have a few good jokes and make me laugh.
Charles Riche
Yes Bob was a great guy, I remember him from Fair Oaks, when I was little.
Alene McCarthy (Karthas)
Bob was a character for sure. We went out for awhile and had a blast. I remember one time when he drove away, I waved from living room window. He called when he got home and said nobody had ever done that before. So cute. Man - we were so young then. I was saddened to hear about his death. A bright light extinguished. I remember him fondly.
Elaine Hickok (Yaco)
I knew Bob for many years. I remember he was always fun to be around. So sorry to hear about his passing.
Stanley Ware Stetson
Bob liked to hunt so it was only natural for him to decide to study taxidermy. Bob liked to stuff anything that he had HARVESTED, as in killed. We are out in the salt ponds hunting ducks walking back, unsuccessful on a slick,muddy levey, the wind blowing, rain pouring. This beautiful SWAN comes with the wind. Boom!! Bob shoots it and it's death glide wipes me off the levey. As I crawl out of the water and mud I scream, you can't shoot swans. Bob's reply; It's ok, I'm a taxadermist. I pray his old red station wagon couldn't talk.
Judith Flaherty
Bob was a lover of life! And was always so full of adventure. He definitely helped me expand my boundaries. I guess that's why I was so crazy about him. I was lucky to have kept in touch with him and his wife, Teri, throughout the years. He and Teri came to the east coast several times and stayed with us. I miss his light-heartedness and his total excitement for all the little gifts life offers -- a good meal, a hug, a good conversation. He lived a passionate life . . . He lived the life he wanted. I'm truly grateful to have had him in my life.
Dave Frykland
I remember spending a frozen night trying to sleep in the back of Bob's panel truck in the parking lot at Heavenly in the winter of 67-68. Didn't sleep a lot, but the next morning we tore up the Gunbarrel and East Bowl. Hope you're still shredding, Bob!
Mark Meltzer
I remember Bob well. Seems like he was almost always in an upbeat mood. Definitely not one of those HS emo-gloomsters. Didn't know Bob had taken up aviation and had worked as a commercial fish spotter pilot, but looking back you could see the seeds of an adventurous life ahead. Would have loved to trade aviation and commercial fishing stories with him. Mountain flying can be very dangerous as I am sure Bob knew as a flight instructor. What a shame that he is no longer with us. Bob would have added so much cheer and fun to our reunion. Bob's personal sun burned so very brightly. He will live on in my memory and the memory of all 67 classmates who had the joy of knowing him.
Mitchell V. Halgren
I was a transfer from the planet known as Washington (the State...), Bob and I were assigned to share a locker - making him about the first person I met on the first day of our senior year. What a character, that infectious, mischievous, laugh and his gregarious personality was really uplifting. Especially to a new student who was, to say the least, lost. Our graduating class at Seqouia was the size of the entire school roster that I'd come from. Bob made me feel like I was a part of Sequoia....at a time when I really needed to. If our world today had more Bobs like him, we'd all be better off. But I still wouldn't lend you my history book again!