Richard Thomas Obituary

Richard "Dick" C. Thomas, age 90, of Spring Grove, passed away on January 14, 2025 at his home.
Born in 1934, he was the son of the late Blanche (Toomey) and Clark Thomas. Richard graduated from West York Area High School Class of 1952 and received degrees in Education and Accounting from York Junior College, Shippensburg University, and Rider College. He proudly served his country in the Counterintelligence Branch of the United States Army from 1957 to 1959. Richard was a high school business teacher and then a middle school teacher for 34 years in the Spring Grove Area School District, where he coached high school basketball, baseball, and volleyball and was chess club advisor. He also coached little league baseball for sixteen years and was a longtime fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Browns, Duke basketball, and local Stoverstown baseball team.
Richard was employed for many years as a free-lance composer of crossword puzzles by major publishing companies. Hundreds of his puzzles appeared in national newspapers, magazines, and bookstore collections. He was a member of American Mensa, York Art Association, White Rose and American Bridge Clubs, and the Spring Grove Area Historical Preservation Society. For over fifty years, he was a season ticket holder to York Symphony concerts. Richard was also a member of Trinity (Roth's) United Church of Christ in Spring Grove where he previously served as deacon, elder, and treasurer. He visited New York City nearly every summer to enjoy its shows, sights, and dining. Other favorite destinations were Williamsburg, Las Vegas, and driving through the Dakotas and Montana.
After retiring, Richard became an avid walker, golfer, bridge player, and painter. He was a charter member of Hickory Heights Golf Club in Spring Grove and officiated for many years at tournaments of the York County Junior Golf Association. Richard published several books of rhymed, metered poems for children and adults. Nearly two hundred of his poems can still be read online at allpoetry.com, under pen name, "richom." In recent years his paintings appeared regularly at gallery exhibitions of the York Art Association. Thirty of them were also exhibited during a month-long auction in 2023 at the Glatfelter Memorial Library in Spring Grove.
Richard was preceded in death by brothers Clark and Robert Thomas. He is survived by his sister in-law Susan (Spahr) Thomas; his nieces Loretta Chipin and husband Mitchell and Donna Glatfelter and husband Scott; and nephews, Alan Thomas and Brian Thomas and husband Dan; great nephew Eric Chipin and great nieces Jenna Beam and husband Ian and Alexa Rottman and husband Elijah; and great-great niece Emma Beam.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 1:00–1:30PM at Beck Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 175 N. Main St. Spring Grove, PA 17362. A Memorial Service in celebration of Richard's life will follow at 1:30PM at the funeral home, with Pastor Scott Sager officiating. He will be laid to rest following the service at Trinity (Roth's) Church Cemetery in Spring Grove.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either Children's Make-A-Wish Foundation, 1702 E. Highland Ave., Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016 or to Harvest of Hope Food Pantry, 4485 Wolf's Church Rd., York, PA 17408.
Share condolences at www.beckfunerals.com