Richard F Thoma

Richard F. “Dick,” Thoma, formerly of Sidney, peacefully passed away on December 25, 2020, in Birmingham AL. He was born May 2, 1930 in Shelby County, to Adolph H. and Frances Didier Thoma, who preceded him in death. On March 31, 1951, he married Jaqueline “Jackie,” McVay, who survives in Pell City, AL.

In addition to Jackie, he is survived by his sister Charlotte (Robert) Cloyd, daughter Jennifer (David) Ball of Manassas Park VA., and three sons: Richard Alan (Gaye) Thoma of Pell City AL., Steven Michael (Karen) Thoma of Mauertown, VA., and David Andrew (Lisa) Thoma, of Blacksburg VA. Dick had 6 siblings, 5 of whom preceded him in death: Jeanette (Victor) Tambascia, Margaret (Charles) Manning, William (Helen) Thoma, Adolph J. (Rita) Thoma Jr., and Donald A. (Doris) Thoma. Dick and Jackie have 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was a graduate of Sidney High, and attended the University of Cincinnati before joining the U.S. Navy. He was employed by the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington D.C., and retired as a Research and Development Engineer after 32 years of service.

After retirement, he returned to Sidney, where he was a member of many civic organizations, including the Tree Board and the Airport Board.

Dick loved music all his life. He served as Assistant Director of the Sidney Singing Soldiers, and was a member of the Sidney Civic Band and Tipp City Civic Band. An avid outdoorsman, Dick liked to hunt and fish. He was a member of the North American Bluebird Society, and Past President of the Ohio Bluebird Society.

A proud veteran, Dick belonged to the American Legion 217 and the VFW. Dick and Jackie were members of Holy Angels Catholic Church.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church with Fr. Andrew Hess. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Sidney with full military honors by the Sidney American Legion and the US Navy honor guard. Friends may call at Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home in Sidney on Friday, April 30, 2021 from 4-6 PM. The American Legion will have a prayer service at 5:45 PM. Use of face masks and social distancing will be necessary at all funeral rites, and if you exhibit any of the symptoms of COVID-19, please pay your respects online at www.salm-mcgillandtangemanfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ohio Bluebird Society in Dick’s name. Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home is honored to be taking care of the Thoma family.

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