Richard Emery Thomas

shortly before his 91st birthday .

Richard, Dick to friends and colleagues, was born December 12, 1929 in Laconia, NH to

Everett E. and Zera M. Bean Thomas. His early years were spent growing up on a New

England farm near the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He attended school at

Tilton/Northfield, where he was a star forward on the basketball team. Dick graduated from

the University of New Hampshire with a B.S. and M.S in agronomy/soil science. During his

time at UNH, Dick was introduced to best friend Don Jamieson’s younger sister Blythe. “We

dated that first week and fell head over heels in love.” Dick and Blythe were married on

June 14, 1952, beginning a 62 year adventure that included living in or traveling to all 50

states and visiting numerous countries around the world before settling in Edmond, OK.

Richard’s career for the federal government included assignments at the Robert A. Taft

Water Research Center in Cincinnati, OH and the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research

Center in Ada, OK. He finished his career with the EPA in Washington DC as a program

scientist and program director. His love of the land, coupled with his desire to leave the

world a better place led to international recognition. He was proud of his work on the

Muskegon pilot project, a water resource recovery system so massive it has been seen

from space. Two of Dick’s favorite memories were his assignments to India and then Israel

as an advisor for water treatment projects.

While in Ada, he received the Bronze Medal for Commendable Service in recognition of

sustained dedication to the advancement of scientific knowledge in soil treatment

technology and for personal achievement and contributions in the field. Upon retirement he

received the Distinguished Career Award in recognition of significant contributions made to

the understanding of land treatment of wastewater, wastewater reuse and groundwater

protection. Dick is recognized by Who’s Who for his numerous publications and

contributions to improve land treatment of municipal wastewater. As he would later tell his

grandchildren, he invented “purple pipes”.

Dick and Blythe split their retirement between New Hampshire and Florida. In retirement his

love for the planet led to designing a small dam project at the lake to help control water

levels. Another favorite project each spring was setting his loon raft, to provide a proper

nesting environment at the NH lake. In his later years, happy hours were spent researching

his family genealogy. But his happiest times were spent with his grandchildren, whether it

was teaching them to water ski, fish, hiking mountain trails, or sharing stories and thoughts

on life.

Dick was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Blythe. He is survived by daughter Karen

Hecker and husband Bill, son Douglas Thomas and wife Pat, daughter Kathy Sikes and

husband Mark, and son Jeff Thomas, brother Earl Thomas, seven grandchildren, one great

grandchild, brother-in-law Bill Jamieson, nieces, nephews, and many friends who were

touched by his boundless love, wonderful smile, great intelligence, and fatherly support.

Recently when asked to describe his life in one word, he answered, “Fulfilled.” He spent his

life dedicated to enriching the lives of those around him. He is much loved and will be

greatly missed by all.

Dick will be laid to rest next to Blythe at Bayside Cemetery in New Hampshire next summer.

The family invites you to share a favorite memory in the visitor’s book. Please send

donations to the Alzheimer's Association or Susan G. Komen in lieu of flowers.