Charles Landreth Thomas PhD
December 31, 1958 - July 31, 2008
Charles Landreth Thomas, PhD, 49, of SLC, UT died peacefully at his home on July 31, 2008 after a courageous fight with melanoma.
“…Then he took his postcard out in his mind, and filled it out again. Sometimes it was addressed to his mother and father, sometimes to his wife, sometimes to the guys at work; but it always said the same thing on the other side:
It is day where we are.
The sun is shining.
I can see forever.”
Taken from a short story written by Charlie (Sept. 1984)
Charlie welcomed each day with his beautiful crystal blue eyes and an easy, infectious smile. He enjoyed the great outdoors and was a competitive rower (in his day), and an aspiring amateur poet. Charlie's favorite hobbies were his children and his research. Charlie's love of teaching never ceased. He enthusiastically passed on the wonders of God and science through his various teaching endeavors: the 3rd/4th grade religious education class; his sons' co-op classes at Eastward Elementary; as a rowing coach; the Jr. Science Symposium; and the infamous Engineering Design Days with unique themes of “Little Egg Riding Hood”, “Evil Eggnevil”, “Perils of Pat” and “The Great Eggscape”.
Charlie was Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah since 1993 after receiving his Ph. D. from Drexel University. He was a supportive faculty member who was generous with his time, and cared about his students' successes. He will be missed at the University of Utah.
Charlie was born on December 31, 1958, in Parsons, Kansas . Left to cherish his memory is his wife Brenda and their children, John Paul (14), Elaina (12), Luke (10), and Zachary (8); his parents, Myra Jean and Joe Nelson Thomas, FL and KS; his brothers David, CA, Bruce and wife, Christy, NE, Willie and wife, Amy, FL; his sister Myra, KS; Brenda's parents Jane and Herb Morch, KS; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
A vigil service will be held on Monday, August 4th at 6:00 pm. at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Newman Center, 170 University Street, SLC, followed by a reception celebrating Charlie's life. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 5, 12:00 noon, also at St. Catherine. Service arrangements entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor.
The family requests that memorials be designated for St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center's Religious Education Program, 170 University Street, SLC, UT 84102.
In Loving Memory
Brenda and Family, Thank you for sharing your wonderful husband and father with us at Eastwood Elementary. Charlie will forever be remembered as a kind, caring, generous, and dedicated human being, husband, father, and friend. How honored and blessed I feel to know him and to know your terrific family. May you each be blessed and comforted and strengthened at this tender time...and always. With much love, Terri Jensen
Terri Jensen
Salt Lake City, Ut
To the Thomas Family-- We ache for your loss, and want you to know you're in our thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful man was Charlie Thomas! There are many memories we have of him. In general, we will remember him at Eastwood with a greeting for all, an easy nature and an interest in everyone. More specifically, we'll remember the day that JP, as part of a Creative Pursuits team with Abby, tried -- rather unsuccessfully -- to light the kitchen sink on fire while burning the edges of paper to make it look old. Charlie walked into our home, during the madness and hysteria and said, "J.P!!!" Of course, he wasn't angry, but the way he said those two initials conveyed so much -- his own, unique humor, his understanding of children, and his love of life. We'll also remember the ill-fated road trip to Colorado for International Future Problem Solving -- when J.P. was too sick to compete. Charlie was just the kind of man who would drive his son 1000 miles for "nothing." We know J.P. the best -- and can see so much of his dad in him: J.P. is kind to others, speaks in an intelligent and measured way and crinkles his eyes when he laughs. We hope these memories, and others, will sustain you through challenging days. You have many friends thinking about you, and we hope you feel blessed in knowing that.
Scott, Lisa, Abby and Alex Mietchen
Salt Lake City, UT
Dear Thomas Family, My deepest condolences to you. Charlie always had a smile and kind word when I met him in the halls of MEB or Kennecott Building. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. God Bless - JoAnn Lighty (Chemical Eng)
JoAnn Lighty
Salt Lake City, UT
Dear Thomas Family, It has always been a joy to see your family at mass and to share a friendly hello afterward. You all have been an excellent example of service and family love at St. Catherine's. You are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this tremendous challenge. We just want you to know that you are loved, even by those who don't know you very well. Love, The Fedor Family
Brenda, Damon, Sam & Dominic Fedor
Holladay, UT