4800 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
THOMAS, ROBERT M.
Robert “Bob” Thomas, 78 of Scottsdale, AZ, surrounded by his loving family, peacefully left this world on July 13, 2022. He was born in Niagara Falls, New York, to John and Eileen Thomas.
Bob graduated from Niagara University with a bachelor’s degree in Physics and later went on to earn his MBA at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Bob was a master of many trades and his career included teaching, work as an engineer at Northrup where he worked on the Moonshot Program, U-Haul, and later in several managerial and executive positions at Salt River Project where he retired after 32 years of faithful service.
Besides Bob’s successful career, he enjoyed hunting, camping, and playing golf. If he wasn’t playing golf on the weekends, he was often busy working on a home improvement project for which he was quite skilled.
Although Bob was dedicated to his career, he made time to volunteer his time to the Sertoma Club, St. Vincent de Paul, and coach youth basketball, baseball and soccer.
Towards the end of his life, Bob’s Catholic Faith became increasingly important to him and before the pandemic, he was seen on Sunday’s at the 10:00 am Mass at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Scottsdale.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Joan Thomas; and their 2 children Ryan Thomas and Lindsey (Ryan Conley) Thomas; his 3 children Kristen (Glenn) Vogt, Keith (Becky) Thomas, and Jennifer Thomas from his first marriage; siblings Mary O’Connell, Jane (Joseph) DeWandler, William (Joanne) Thomas, Patricia (Douglas) Ferry, Michael Thomas, Gina (James) Chisera and Gerald Thomas, 4 grandchildren and 3 great-granddaughters. Bob also had a large extended family including Sister and Brother In-Laws and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Eileen Thomas and his older brother, Daniel Thomas.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2022 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. with a Rosary prayed at 6:00 P.M. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., in Phoenix. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am on Friday, July 29, 2022 at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 6261 N Granite Reef Rd in Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers, Bob’s family requests that donations be made to any of the following: Hospice of The Valley, St. Vincent de Paul, and Lewy Body Dementia Association. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
I will never forget all of the great memories that were created at all of our family functions
My sincere sympathy for your loss, and virtual hugs to everyone. I know Bob will be missed very much.
I will miss you cousin. I will remember all the fun times we had especially when you vacationed with us at our cottage in Canada. You always made me laugh! My dad was so fond of you and enjoyed fishing with you and talking about your hunting trips. Sending love and prayers to your family-RIP Bobby ❤️
Thinking of you all during this difficult time and wishing you peace.
“Man, Ball, Basket” That’s the best basketball advice I was ever given. Bob was a great coach, and person.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Rest in Pease my friend.
Joan.. and famiy: I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending cyber hugs to you. Remember the good ol’ days at SRP,
It is with great assurance that Bob has been welcomed into Heaven! What an amazing man! I loved being with him and his beautiful wife! I’ll see you in Heaven my friend
I am so sorry for your loss. I met Bob many years ago at SRP where he was always so very kind to me. He had an amazing memory and even though we would go many years without running into each other he always remembered me. He was also quite funny, too. Wishing Peace and Love during this time and the days to come. God Bless.
So sorry to hear this. Bob hired me at SRP back in 1981. He used to always say “Laman, you need to manage expectations”! That comment has always stayed with me even to this day. I will never forget the flag football games that I coordinated with SRP, where we played a series of football games with (at the time) a company call ITT Courier. The first game with ITT we got crushed like 42-14 and Bob was playing QB….We had just hired a new manager who used to be a great High School QB and really had a great arm. I……had… to…. demote Bob and turn him into a tight end and gave the QB job to our new Manager…… The next 2 games we played with ITT, SRP crushed them both times! Bob was a fantastic tight end too! RIP Bob you were a great one!
Bob was a wonderful man, a great leader and one of my favorite clients. He was a good listerner and a terrific individual. I am sorry to learn about his passing. My condolances to all who are impacted by his leaving. Wishing each and every one can remember Bob with joy.
So sorry for your family’s loss. He was a good man. He is in a better place now. Prayers.
Dear Joan and family, we are so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. We remember our fun golf getaways with you both and enjoying the beach in San Diego. So sorry we have lost touch. Thinking of you and your family.
Love and Hugs, Skip and MJ
I became better friends with Bob later in his career and very much admired his ability to navigate the corporate hallways. Bob, from time to time, gave me nuggets of advice and that I learned to trust because the advice was true and accurate.
Our friendship blossomed in our retirement, and I already miss our times together. Bob affected many people in a positive fashion.
I will miss Bob.
My long time friend Steve Petruso told me that Bob passed away. Although I was an SRP employee for 5 years Bob encouraged me to venture forth and grab the ‘brass ring’ to start a career in IT. I took his advice and for the last 30 years had the most rewarding IT career I could ask for culminating in a worldwide system finance and accounting software DBA. Best position ever.
All that because of a few encouraging words from Bob that none of the career counselors in college could match.
RIP Bob.
Well done good and faithful servant. Matthew 25:23