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Robert K. Thomas ’48

Robert Thomas ’48, October 3, 1998, in Provo, Utah. After graduating from Reed, he attended the University of Oregon and earned a master’s in English in 1950. He entered the PhD program in American Studies at Columbia University, graduating in 1967. In 1951 he became assistant professor of English at Brigham Young University in Provo. During his 31-year career there, he was professor of English, academic vice president, and founding director of the Honors Program for gifted students. He received a number of awards for excellence in teaching and was known for his skillful public speaking, both on and off campus, on literary and spiritual topics. He authored and coauthored a number of books, including Out of the Best Books, and he helped edit The Encyclopedia of Mormonism. He was an active member of the LDS Church and served in many positions, including bishop and president of the Melbourne, Australia Mission. His other interests included woodworking and gardening. He is survived by his wife, three children, and 10 grandchildren.

Appeared in Reed magazine: May 1999