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Humanitarian Bob Thomas Recalled As 'A Great Man'

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By CHRIS ECHEGARAY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 6, 2007

TAMPA - Philanthropist Bob Thomas, a man known for his wealth, faith and his kidnapping in 1991, died Sunday. He was 83.

His son, Robert M. Thomas, said his father died in his sleep at home.

'He had pneumonia recently,' his son said Wednesday. 'He went to sleep and didn't wake up. It was very peaceful. He was a great man. That's a fact. He was just helping his fellow man and woman as much as he could.'
Bob Thomas was known for his largesse. He founded the Joshua House, a shelter for abused and abandoned children in Hillsborough County. He spent his retired years aiding church-related charitable causes.

The devout Catholic never missed Mass, his son said. Two weeks ago, Bob Thomas was given an honorary doctorate from Ave Maria University near Immokalee, Robert Thomas said.
Bob Thomas was chairman of the American Agricultural Chemical Corp., a large phosphate company. He was president of Port Sutton, which his father owned. He had owned more than 17,000 acres of land in Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough counties.

Thomas gave to Jesuit High School, St. Joseph's Hospital, Metropolitan Ministries, Children's Home Society of Florida, Divine Providence Food Bank and New Life Dwelling Place. He also raised money to bring an equestrian center to the Florida State Fairgrounds.

'He was very generous,' said his friend John Germany, a former Hillsborough County circuit judge. 'His footprint of generosity is seen all over the county.'

At 30, Thomas developed polio, which left him paralyzed. Germany recalls dinner with their wives at the Tampa Yacht Club and how Thomas would not succumb to his condition.

'First of all, the guts that he showed being at dinner when he is stricken with polio,' Germany said. 'He lived for decades walking on his wrists using crutches.'

Thomas was also a mentor, a teacher to local leaders. Former county Commissioner Dottie Berger MacKinnon said she learned a multitude of things during her 22 years working for him.

'He was like a father to me,' she said. 'He would introduce me as a daughter. I worked for him as a secretary and got my degree. He taught me about a lot of things. He was a wonderful friend.'

MacKinnon said Thomas refused to use a wheelchair and pushed himself for many years.

'He was a hard charger,' she said.

Thomas showed determination during his 1991 kidnapping when he was abducted in his driveway at gunpoint while on his way to Mass. The kidnappers let him go 42 hours later with a cut on his head. They asked for $5 million in ransom, but when it wasn't forthcoming they sent him home in a cab. The two captors were sent to prison.

Thomas was the son of Dorothy and Wayne Thomas, a former publisher of the Plant City Courier. He attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. After returning to Tampa from the U.S. Navy, Thomas married Suzanne Bidwell in 1950. She died in 2001.

He once was featured on the television show 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.'

ROBERT THOMAS

BORN: July 10, 1924, in Seffner

DIED: Sept. 2, 2007, in Tampa

SURVIVORS: His son, Robert M. Thomas of Thonotosassa; three daughters, Susan Thomas and Tina Sievers, both of Tampa, and Anne Thomas of Ohio; and three grandchildren

SERVICES: To be determined

Reporter Chris Echegaray can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or cechegaray@tampatrib.com.

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