Richard H. Thomas, 1930–2023
The Rev. Dr. Richard H. Thomas, whose contributions as chaplain, history professor, and college historian made an indelible impact on Cornell College, died at age 92 on April 24, 2023, in Cedar Rapids.
A celebration of life was held June 3 at the United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon. The service may be viewed online.
His dual appointment in 1967 as chaplain and professor eventually extended to include nine years as special assistant to the president as well as a variety of jobs under four presidents—most notably as acting dean of students, director of all-college convocations, and associate dean of admissions.
Simultaneously, Thomas used his talents as a historian in public service to Mount Vernon, Linn County, the state of Iowa, and the U.S. Air Force (for which he served as chaplain in the Reserve, retiring with the rank of colonel).
“It is difficult to imagine Cornell without Rev. Thomas. He was an active part of our campus community for over 50 years, making major contributions as historian, professor, chaplain, and friend to many. This is a huge loss for the Cornell community,” said President Jonathan Brand.
It was Thomas who headed the extensive research and application that placed the entire Cornell campus on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. If that were not enough to canonize him among the Cornell greats, he authored Vol. II of the college’s first scholarly history, “Cornell College: A Sesquicentennial History, 1953–2003.”
Thomas, known as Rev to generations of Cornellians, taught at the college for 29 years and remained active in the community throughout his retirement, including teaching annually for many years. He developed courses on federal American Indian policy, the internment of Japanese Americans, and Midwest architecture. Thomas was also part of the group that launched what became the Thaler Holocaust Committee. As recently as 2016 he led the campus’ annual candlelight vigil in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., which included recollections of the Civil Rights movement and King’s presence on campus in 1962.
He grew up in South Dakota, graduated from Macalester College, earned an M.Div. from Garrett Evangelical Seminary, and held master’s and doctoral degrees from Rutgers. His Ph.D. in U.S. history with a specialization in the social dimension of architecture began a lifelong teaching and research interest. He chaired the Committee for the Restoration of the Iowa Governor’s Mansion, as well as state, county, and local historic preservation commissions. In addition to Cornell’s National Register status, he was largely responsible for successfully nominating Mount Vernon’s two additional historic districts to the National Register.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Nancy, two daughters, Ellen Thomas and Cornell Trustee Jan Thomas ’80 (Gary Doernhoefer), a son, John Thomas (Melissa Thomas), and five grandchildren, Eric Doernhoefer ’13, Liz Doernhoefer, Anthony Thomas Zavin, Matthew Thomas, and Lauren Thomas. In 2013 his children endowed the Richard H. Thomas History Scholar Award for Off-Campus Research.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Richard H. Thomas History Scholar Award, the Cornell Fund, the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, or the State Historical Society of Iowa.
