Robert E. Thomas

Robert E. Thomas, 85, of Hanover Township passed into eternal life on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the Celtic Hospice Inpatient Unit. Born April 26th 1931 in Wilkes-Barre, Bob was the son of the late Elias and Dorothy (Youngblood) Thomas.  He was married for 63 years to Lois Weale Thomas, also of Hanover Township. He was preceded in death by his son, Ronald B. Thomas.

He graduated from E.L. Meyers High School, Wilkes-Barre, Class of 1950, and served in the 967th Armored Field Artillery during the Korean War as an airplane mechanic.

Bob worked for the United States Postal Service, and retiring as Manager of Plant Maintenance at Wilkes-Barre in 1990.  While working for the Post Office he attended the University of Oklahoma and was acting plant manager at Buffalo, New York. He was also a member of Firwood United Methodist Church, Wilkes-Barre.

Always keeping busy after retiring, he worked part time as a videographer for Quasar Video in Scranton, Pa.

Always an adventurer, Bob became a member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America and taught mostly children to ski at Montage Mountain for 18 years.  His love of skiing took him to various mountains in the United States, Canada and Utah.

They traveled extensively through Europe and loved to cruise.  Always on the go with trips across the country in his motor home with his wife.  Bob was a Penn State fan and never missed a home football game in his motor home with friends.

Bob was a member of the Fidelity Lodge 655, F & AM, Wilkes-Barre, and a member of Irem Temple A.A.O.N.M.S, Dallas.

Bob will be remembered for his sense of humor and smile, his love for family and friends.  Most of all those close to Bob will remember him for being a man of tremendous unwavering principle, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and friend.

Surviving in addition to Lois, is daughter Susan L. Robins and husband Jeff Robins of Lebanon PA, their children Kyle and Rebecca Robins; Daughter-in law, Linda Strosser-Thomas, grandchildren Robert Thomas, Brian Thomas, Matthew Strosser-Thomas, Ronni Stosser-Thomas, Steven Strosser; Great grandchildren Aerwyn and Emerson Thomas, Kellen Thomas, Logan Strosser, Emmett Strosser-Thomas, Jaxon Viti.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 10:00 A.M. from Kniffen O’Malley Leffler Funeral & Cremation Services, 465 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. Family and friends are invited to visit Friday from 5-7 P.M. and Saturday from 9-10 A.M. at the funeral home. Officiating will be The Rev. Anthony Brima and Father Jeff Tudgay.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Firwood United Methodist Church, 399 Old River Road, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 and Shriners’ Hospital for Children, c/o Irem Shrine Center, Box 301, Dallas, Pa 18612.

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