Robert Irving Thomas

Robert was born on December 26, 1932, in Vallejo, California, to his parents Richard and Gladys Thomas. He spent most of his childhood in Sanger, California, in the San Joaquin Valley. In the early 1950s, his family moved to Fortuna, where they operated a jersey dairy farm.

He enlisted in the Naval Reserve while he was a junior in high school and spent nine years on active and inactive Reserve duty. From 1952 to 1953, he served two years of active duty during the Korean Conflict in San Diego and Adak, Alaska, performing intelligence work. After his active duty, he pursued his education with the support of the GI Bill. He graduated from California Polytechnic State University in 1958, San Luis Obispo, with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Robert met Corinne Jorgensen in 1953. They were married in 1957. They lived in Corvallis from 1958-60, while Robert attended Oregon State College, graduated with a Master’s in Dairy Production. In 1966, after teaching biology and science at Fortuna Union High School and running the family dairy, they returned to Corvallis. He received his Master's degree in General Science from Oregon State University in 1967.

From 1970 to 1998, he taught at the College of the Redwoods on California's North Coast, having previously taught at Foothill and DeAnza Colleges. He enjoyed a gratifying career teaching anatomy, physiology, and microbiology to nursing students. He also served as an Administrator for the department.

Robert and Corinne spent most of their married life in Fortuna, raising their three children, Byron, Roger, and Rhonda. Robert was a passionate education advocate and served on the Fortuna Union High School Board of Trustees for many years.

Robert and Corinne traveled extensively across the United States, Western Europe, East Africa, Ecuador, Peru, the Galápagos Islands, and Tonga. One of their most memorable adventures was leading a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania when Robert was guiding trips as part of Nature Expeditions International. They enjoyed traveling with their children and grandchildren within the U.S. and abroad.

Robert and Corinne moved to Salem in 1999 to be closer to family. They were happily married for over 50 years.

Robert met Mary Houser Caditz in late 2008, and they shared a wonderful companionship and a mutual quest for learning. They traveled across Europe and North America, visiting places related to their interests and enjoying culinary adventures wherever they went.

Robert joined Rotary in 1990 as a member of the Rotary Club of Fortuna. In 1994, he became a charter member and the second president of the Fortuna Sunrise Rotary Club. He joined the Salem Sunrise Rotary Club in 1999. Robert served as the head of community service projects for the club from 2014 to 2020. He remained active in Rotary until 2024.

His hobbies included researching family history and following Oregon State Beaver sports. He enjoyed going to the gym daily until he was in his late 80s. When he was younger, he was also an avid runner and played tennis.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father, brother Richard, wife Corinne, and partner Mary Houser Caditz, and wife Marian Thomas.

Surviving are their son Byron and wife Cheryl of Lincoln, Delaware; son Roger and partner Angie Nelson of Canby and daughter Rhonda and husband Dan Prodzinski of Salem; and six grandchildren, Tara Thomas of Los Molinos, California, Cassidie Thomas Lu and husband Eric Lu of Culver City, California, and Travis Thomas and his partner Amanda Stephens, Bloomfield, California and Michelle and her husband Nate Martinez (great-grandsons Remy, Jude, and Enzo), Kristin and her husband Shane Gruger (great-grandson George) of Bothell, Washington, and Brian Prodzinski of Salem.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the Prestige med techs and caregivers for the dedicated care they provided to Robert. The family would also like to thank Beloved Hospice for their care and support.

Donations in Robert’s name can be made to Family Building Blocks and the Rotary Club of Salem - Creekside.

Private burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery, and a Celebration of Life is planned. Virgil T. Golden Funeral Services is handling arrangements.