Richard C. Thomas
Richard C. Thomas (May 3, 1937—November 2, 1991) was an American politician and government official who served four terms as Secretary of State of Vermont.
Early life[edit]
Richard Clark Thomas was born in Washburn, Maine on May 3, 1937.[1][2] He was raised in Rutland, Vermont, and was a graduate of Rutland High School.[2] Thomas graduated from Middlebury College in 1959.[1][3] He completed the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, and served as an officer in the United States Army Reserve; he was a member of the Field Artillery branch, and attained the rank of captain.[2][4]
Thomas attended Georgetown University Law Center for a year, and was a reporter and writer for the F. W. Dodge Corporation from 1960 to 1963.[1][3] From 1963 to 1965 he worked on the staff of Senator Winston L. Prouty as a research assistant, campaign coordinator, and press secretary.[1][3] Thomas was executive director of the Vermont Republican Party from 1965 to 1968.[1] In 1968 he was appointed first assistant clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives.[1]
Secretary of state[edit]
In 1968, Thomas was the successful Republican nominee for Secretary of State of Vermont.[1] He was reelected three times, and served from January 1969 to January 1977.[1] He was an unsuccessful candidate for a fifth term in 1976, and was defeated by Democrat James A. Guest.[5]
Later career[edit]
After leaving office, Thomas was a resident of Woodbridge, Virginia and was employed as the state liaison for the Federal Election Commission.[6] At the FEC, he was responsible for coordinating the agency's work with state and local election officials.[6] In addition, he oversaw compilation of the FEC's annual Combined Federal and State Disclosure Directory, as well as reports on the results of federal elections.[6]
Death[edit]
Thomas died of throat cancer in Falls Church, Virginia on November 2, 1991.[3][4] He was buried at Saint Sylvester Cemetery in Websterville, Vermont.[7]
Family[edit]
Thomas was married to Patricia L. McGlynn.[3] They were the parents of a son, Richard, and two daughters, Lisa and Leslie.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Biography, Richard C. Thomas".
- ^ a b c Middlebury: "In Memoriam, Richard C. Thomas".
- ^ a b c d e f "FEC Official R.C. Thomas Dies at 54".
- ^ a b "Former Vt. Politician Dies at 54".
- ^ "Alden Leads Buckley".
- ^ a b c FEC: "In Memoriam, Richard Clark Thomas".
- ^ "Obituary, Richard C. Thomas", p. 9.
Sources[edit]
Newspaper[edit]
- Clarke, Rod (November 3, 1976). "Alden Leads Buckley: Snelling, Stafford, Jeffords, Diamond and Guest Victorious". Bennington Banner. Bennington, VT. United Press International. p. 1.
- "FEC Official R.C. Thomas Dies at 54". Washington Post. Washington, DC. November 4, 1991.
- "Former Vt. Politician Dies at 54". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. Associated Press. November 5, 1991. p. 11.
- "Obituary, Richard C. Thomas". Rutland Herald. Rutland, VT. November 7, 1991 – via Newspapers.com.
Internet[edit]
- "In Memoriam, Richard Clark Thomas" (PDF). Federal Elections Commission Record. Washington, DC. December 1, 1991. p. 3.
- "Biography, Richard C. Thomas" (PDF). Vermont State Archives. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. p. 1.
Magazines[edit]
- "In Memoriam, Richard C. Thomas". Middlebury College Magazine. Middlebury, VT: Middlebury College. 1992. p. 78.