Robert Drake Thomas

Robert Drake Thomas, 92, a retired Marine Corps colonel and Foreign Service Officer, died from complications of coronary disease on March 25, 2025 at his home at the Riderwood Senior Living Community in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Mr. Thomas, who lived in Silver Spring, was born and raised in Utica, New York. He graduated from Columbia College, Columbia University in 1954 with a B.A. degree and a regular commission in the Marine Corps. After serving on active duty for three years as an infantry officer, he transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve. Three years later he earned a law degree from the School of Law, Columbia University and then entered the Foreign Service. Colonel Thomas retired from the Marine Corps and the Foreign Service in 1992.

Mr. Thomas and his family were stationed at various posts in Europe during his 32 years in the Foreign Service, including the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia. These years also included 22 months he served without family in South Vietnam from 1966 to 1968. After he retired from the Foreign Service, he was a docent for several years as a member of the National Archives and Records Administration’s Volunteer Association.

All his life Mr. Thomas enjoyed the outdoors, camping, fishing, and hiking and singing in great choirs, including the Sanctuary Choir of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Maryland. He and his wife were members of Fourth Presbyterian Church for over 40 years.

Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his wife Jeri Ann (Hartfield) Thomas (2019) of Silver Spring. Survivors include his son James Douglas (Suzanne) Thomas of Ellicott City, Maryland; daughters Cary Laurence (Joel) Barnes and Kelly Drake (Jay) Hubbard both of Wheaton, Illinois; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Mr. Thomas will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery.