OBITUARIES.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Robert Thomas 

Robert J. "Bob" Thomas of Eugene died Dec. 20 of age-related causes. He was 88.

He was born July 30, 1915, in Ely, Nev., to Robert and Marie Stoll Thomas. He and his wife, Bette, were married in Eugene on July 15, 1950.

Raised in Virginia and Minnesota, Thomas graduated from high school, junior college and the University of Minnesota Dental School. He went into the dental medical corps attached to the U.S. Navy and Marines from 1941 to 1945 in the Pacific.

Upon discharge, he moved to Eugene, where he served in the U.S. Navy Reserves, completing his 20-year service in 1975 as lieutenant commander. He was a Eugene dentist from 1946 to 1988.

Thomas was a past president of the Oregon State Dental Association. He also was a member of the Shriners, Masons and Eugene Elks Lodge No. 357. He was instrumental in establishing the Elks Dental Clinic, and was a charter member and past board president of the Town Club. He enjoyed steelhead fishing, bird hunting and golf.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Jane Thomas of Portland; and a son, Robert of Eugene. Another son, Tracy, died in 1957.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Lane Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home in Eugene is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greenhill Humane Society.

News obituaries are a free service of The Register-Guard and are printed as space allows. The News Department will accept information on its standard obituary forms submitted through funeral homes or by the deceased's immediate family. Obituary information is available at (phone) 485-1234, Ext. 5534, or (fax) 683-7631. If you want to purchase advertising space for a more detailed obituary, call 342-1212. Obituaries published in the past 30 days are available at www.register guard.com.