Necrology

Edwin Hinman Thomas '36

Feb. 25, 1914-Aug. 9, 2003

Edwin Hinman Thomas ’36, a former elementary school teacher, was born on February 25, 1914, to Edwin C., a company branch manager, and Mary Hinman Thomas, in Akron, OH. “Ned” Thomas grew up in New York State and entered Hamilton in 1932 from Central High School in Syracuse, where he had been valedictorian of his class. He joined Tau Kappa Epsilon, played basketball and ran track, but excelled in cross-country, becoming captain of the varsity team. Elected to Quadrangle, he also became “head of the Teaks,” and earned a Phi Beta Kappa key. He left the Hill with a B.S. degree in 1936. Thereafter he was employed in sales by Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. in New York and Pennsylvania.

The College soon lost touch with Edwin Thomas and has no information about his subsequent activities except for what was reported in newspapers at the time of his death. That information includes his service in the U.S. Air Force for a total of 10 years encompassing both World War II and the Korean War; his acquisition of a second bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College and a master’s from the State University of New York at New Paltz; and his teaching for 25 years at an elementary school in Stony Brook on Long Island.

Edwin H. Thomas died on August 9, 2003, at a health care facility in Gettysburg, PA. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, the former Margaret A. Wright; a daughter, Deborah A. Kell; two sons, Stephen E. and James L. Thomas; and eight grandchildren.

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