Obituary of Norman W. Thomas

Dr. Norman William Thomas, age 79, died on Sunday June 18th at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma. Dr. Thomas was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada was raised in Dearborn, Michigan and had lived in Arcadia California before moving to Warren 38 years ago. He received a B.S. from Wayne State U. now part of the University of Michigan in 1950, his PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1953, and a MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, in Madison, NJ in 1978. He worked as a Research Associate for a variety of major corporations including Rohm and Haas in Philadelphia, Aerojet Corp in Azuza CA., and Celanese in Summit before becoming a founding member of Celgene a biotechnology start up in Warren, NJ. After his retirement he continued as a research consultant to Celgro in Warren. His career stands a testament to his love and belief in the value of pure research. Norm loved history of all sorts, particularly the Civil War, the American West, and especially Native Americans and Native American causes. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Doris, two sons (Jeffrey) Jeff of Leverkusen, Germany, and (Randal) Randy of Warren, a daughter Wendy Miller-Thomas of Dripping Springs, TX, a son-in-law Nathan Miller, two grandchildren Owen and Tony of Dripping Springs, TX. Funeral services will be held on Friday June 23rd at 12:00 Noon at Higgins Home for Funerals 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung. Friends may visit at the funeral home Thursday 7-9 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to International Myeloma Foundation 12650 Riverside Drive, Suite 206 North Hollywood, CA 91607-3421.