Obituary of Robert Terry Thomas
Robert (Bob) Terry Thomas passed away on November 18th, 2024 at Los Robles Hospital after a difficult battle with myasthenia gravis. Born on August 25th, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan to Margaret and George Thomas, he later moved, with his family, to Santa Monica, California. Graduating from Santa Monica High School in 1960, he then served his country by joining the Navy in 1961 where he served on the USS Mahan in Saigon, Vietnam.
Following his Naval career, he worked briefly for JC Penny where he discovered a talent for spotting shop lifters, which marked the beginning of a lifelong passion for law enforcement. In 1966 he joined the Santa Monica Police Department climbing the ladder of success for the next 27 years, promoted to Lieutenant in 1979. He was also briefly employed with the Roseburg and Eugene, Oregon Police Departments. In 1976 he received his BA in Public Administration from the University of Redlands and his MA from Pepperdine University in 1980. During the summer of 1982 he attended the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Bob was a resident of Westlake for many years, most recently residing in Oak Park with his wife Dale. Always leading an active lifestyle, he loved boating on his beloved Westlake, kayaking and playing tennis. His biggest passions in his retirement years were golf, gardening and traveling the world by cruise ship. He and Dale enjoyed many adventures traveling and he was proud to say he had visited all 7 continents. He served as President of the Santa Monica Retired Police Officers Association, was a docent at the Reagan Library and played golf with the infamous Shaft Group at Sunset Hills CC.
Bob is survived by his loving wife Dale Thomas, his daughter Camille Patch, his son Scott Thomas, his granddaughter McKenzie Thomas, brother Bill Thomas and sister Sandee Stuckenburg, stepdaughter Brooke Gorden, and recent family addition grandson Wells Gorden and stepson Brad Cowgill. Bob will be missed by all who knew him especially friends Ron and Sheila Ruiz. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation.