Richard L. Thomas of Pasadena, CA, loving husband, father, and grandfather passed away October 9, 2021 after a valiant six-week battle with Stage IV cancer. He was 84.
Richard was born February 16, 1937, in Kalamazoo, MI, to Gerald and Joyce Wheaton Thomas, who preceded him in death.
He grew up in and around Kalamazoo, working side by side with his father and grandfather in construction and building a beautiful family home on Crooked Lake, where he spent his junior and senior high school years. After graduation from Western Michigan University, he took his athletic skills and love of water-sports to become a professional water skier. He and his team performed shows throughout the Midwest.
He joined Knoll International Furniture where he enjoyed a successful career in sales in Chicago, Washington, DC and New York City. He treasured his friendship with the late Knoll designer, Harry Bertoia, who created the iconic Diamond (Womb) Chair which today remains one of Knoll’s quintessential contributions to modern design.
Richard moved to Los Angeles in the early 1990’s and formed TYCO Construction, now TYCO Walls, and established himself as a premier contractor in acoustical walls and ceiling systems. TYCO was on site for 18 months during the initial construction of the gallery rooms at the Getty Museum. Many of LA’s major screening rooms, including the state-of-the-art auditorium at United Talent Agency in Beverly Hills, boast his custom systems as do conference rooms, businesses and screening rooms throughout the city.
Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Sigrid Battjes-Thomas, three accomplished daughters, Samantha (Jim) Kreindler, Rabbi Lauren (Ari) Holtzblatt and Vanessa (Kasey) Sax, all of Washington, DC, as well as seven grandchildren, Jordan, Ben, Sadie, Noa, Elijah, Chloe and Emma. Additional survivors include a sister, Bee Buell of Moreno Valley, CA, a brother, Claude (Jennifer) Thomas of Jacksonville, FL, several loving nieces and nephews and step-daughter, Katherine (Kat) Battjes.
A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Richard’s name to the City of Hope, Los Angeles, CA; the Ronald McDonald House, Pasadena, CA; and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.
Richard has joined his father, sweeping patterns in the clouds.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Richard L. Thomas hosted by Cabot and Sons Funeral Home.