Thomas S. Maddock passed away peacefully in Newport Beach CA on February 3, 2018. Thomas was born to John Francis and Eileen Smothers Maddock in Norfolk VA in 1928, where he also graduated from Maury HS. He later graduated at Virginia Tech with a BS degree in Civil Engineering and completed his graduate work at MIT with a MS degree in Engineering.
In the Korean War, Thomas attended Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport RI and was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy Civil Engineering Corps. He was assigned to the Navy Seabees on the construction of Naval Air Station Cubi Point in the Philippine Islands. He was later stationed at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro CA.
After active duty, Thomas graduated with a MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Thomas continued in the Navy Reserve, rising to the rank of Rear Admiral and Commander of the 18,000-man Reserve Naval Construction Force (Seabees). He retired in 1985 after 33 years of active and reserve duty with two Legion of Merit Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal.
Thomas began his work career in 1957 with Boyle Engineering in Bakersfield CA, where he took on major state and worldwide water projects and became President and CEO in Orange County in 1975. He became Chairman in 1993, retired in 2001, and continued to work as a consulting engineer. Thomas was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1993 and later as Honorary Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). He was a Distinguished Alumni of Virginia Tech, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and served on numerous boards and societies; he was a licensed professional engineer in 18 states. In 1993, the Governor appointed him to represent CA on the Western States Water Council—part of the Western Governors Association. Rear Admiral Maddock served on the Board of Trustees of the Navy CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation, and a new US Navy Seabee Museum was built in 2010 at the Port Hueneme Naval Base. He was also instrumental in the support of the Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest CA where his wife Caroline donates her archeological publications and artwork.
Thomas is survived by his wife Caroline Maddock of Newport Beach, daughters Victoria Maddock and Kimberly Clark, granddaughter Lillian Clark, and many nieces and nephews. Thomas was preceded in death by three brothers (John, Joseph, and James) and two sisters (Mary and Patricia). Thomas was an avid tennis player and enjoyed hiking in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada mountains. He was a true patriot who loved serving his country, and he was a kind, intelligent and honorable man. He will be greatly missed by family and friends alike. In honor of Thomas’ wishes, no service will be held, and any donations may be made directly online or by phone to Hoag Hospital Foundation.
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