Dr Al Thomas

In honor of Dr Al Thomas and his myriad thoughts and dreams...

“Al Thomas was a Reading Icon” - Tribute Article

(*click on the words, “Reading Icon” to open article)

Al’s Signature Song

Guest Book for

Dr. Al Thomas

July 1, 2008

Al,

I'm so sorry we never got the chance to have that cigar together. I

will never forget you, and the way you have changed my life. My

sister tells me they have a bench in your honor on the boardwalk in

OC. I'm thinking when I find out where I'm going to sit there, and

look out at the ocean, and finally have that cigar with you. You

were a great man who I will NEVER forget. I love you, and your

legacy will forever live on. You have touched so many peoples

lives, and I can only hope to someday become half the man you

were. I miss you....

P.S. Hope I did well on the grammar !!

John DeSalvo (Egg Harbor Township, NJ)

April 30, 2008

Our thoughts are with you.

Bob Judy Emma and Sarah Schachner (Swarthmore, PA)

April 30, 2008

I first met Dr. Thomas when I was enrolled in freshman English at

Kutztown State College. What a guy!

I remember how he challenged, if not shook, many of our teen-age

assumptions about the world, especially those of us who came from

sheltered small towns to attend college. Dr. Thomas at the time had

a big muscular build, but I remember when he entered the

Kutztown college auditorium where the large freshman English

class was held, he was like a rush of fresh air, and so

knowledgeable yet entertaining for his first year English students.

Later, I came to know him on a more personal level when I became

an au pair for his daughters, and companion to his wife, Zenta. I

stayed with his family when he was away from his book-filled

home on Klein Avenue finishing his doctoral studies. Spending that

time with Zenta, the girls, and Dr. Thomas (when he visited) was a

very rewarding and enriching period in my life. And I can

remember those wonderful conversations we had together after the

girls went to bed!

My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.

Carol Kalinoski (Alexandria, VA)

April 28, 2008

Not many people touch my heart and grab my favor like Al did. He

was the epitome of what I strive to be- smart, strong and positive.

His attitude was ideal, and his energy was contagious.

I am going to miss him...

Jared McIver (Seaville, NJ)

April 25, 2008

My cousin Al Thomas kept alive the memories of the little town of

Newberry, in Williamsport, Pa all the days of his life, whenever he

talked with me, or wrote me. I have no doubt that the characters he

met growing up in Baltimore, Lockhaven and in Williamsport, Pa

where he spent many happy days at the old oak table of Jesse and

Kate Thomas, our grandparents - these wonderful relatives and

neighbors of his childhood helped create Al Thomas the professor

of English who has touched so many lives, as he said once, "Outof-

time". He could take the events of life and make literature, a

rarity in the world even of professors. I will miss him very much.

Mary Ellen Graybill (White Hall, MD)

April 24, 2008

Z, I didn't spend a lot of time with Al, but the time spent was

unforgettable. People have written such wonderful things about

him. What I know for sure is he raised one heck of a daughter.

Thinking of you and your family.With much love from ours.

Chrissie Greatrex (Mt. Laurel, NJ)

April 24, 2008

Virtually a life-long friend, compassionate, understanding, with a

love for his earthly brothers and sisters. I rejoice in his everlasting

happiness, for his eyes have seen God.

Robert Schadt (Lock Haven, PA)

April 23, 2008

I have never met anyone else even remotely like Al Thomas. As a

professor, he was thrillingly brilliant and uncommonly dedicated:

he typed his comments on students’ papers, and the comments were

always amazingly thorough and incisive. As a friend, he was a

deep-hearted, infinitely curious, touchingly generous man. There

was a purity about him that I’ve never encountered in anybody else.

I will miss him very much.

Gary Lutz (Greensburg, PA)

April 23, 2008

Zenta, I am sorry to hear of your loss.I will keep you in my prayers.

George Manning (Schuylkill Haven, PA)

April 23, 2008

Zenta,

It is a very difficlut time for you and your family but you have

many fond memories of your father that will stay in your heart

forever.

Eileen (Brendle) Mohr (Reading, PA)

April 23, 2008

Dr. Thomas was such a unique individual. Although my memories

of him take me to places and events that we shared, the most vivid

memory I have of him is how he made me feel. Dr. Thomas

believed in youth - he believed we could and would make a

difference in this world. He made me feel confident about myself,

despite the fact that I had no idea what I wanted to do at the young

age of 18. He made me feel good about myself, despite the fact that

the owner/chef at the Varsity Inn thought I was utterly useless,

again at the young age of 18. He made me feel that whatever and

however I chose to contribute to society, I would make a difference,

I would be a good citizen, I would be alright. He believed in me

and that helped me believe in myself. My only hope is I can inspire

the youth of today to the extent he inspired me. He will be missed,

but he will never be forgotten. My deepest sympathy and love to

you all. Eileen

Eileen Walsh (Cleveland, OH)

April 22, 2008

Al was like no one I've ever met and his loss will have a profound

effect on many. It's hard to put into words what the time I spent

talking to him means to me. His intelligence commanded respect,

but he shared information in humble way. Al always listened keenly

and I valued his opinions. I will miss his humor and warmth

tremendously.

Lisa Clark (Egg Harbor Township, NJ)

April 22, 2008

We never had the privilege of meeting Al. However, if the way his

daughter Zenta spoke of him is any indication of the type of man he

was, then we missed out on knowing a truly great man. Please know

that your family is in our thoughts and prayers during this time.

Angela Menzen & Josh Daisy

Angela Menzen (Collegeville, PA)

April 22, 2008

Dear Zenta,

I still miss our movie sundays with your dad, lorraine and denise. I

think of them often and was so saddened to hear of his passing. But

I am comforted as I read all the amazing tributes to his life clearly

his spirit lives on in everyone whose life he touched......I hope that

brings you and your family some comfort as well

My deepest sympathy

carolyn fernandez (lambertville, NJ)

April 22, 2008

Zenta and family,

Our positive thoughts and prayers are with you. Al's presence down

the shore will be sadly missed, tanning out back, the typing we

could hear, knowing he was hard at work and our conversations

always far from dull. His knowledge and unique personality always

kept us informed. We knew Al in a different sense of mind, away

from work and we enjoyed his zest for life. He always had a

interesting story to tell and knew every detail.

We will surely miss him.

The Viscusi's

Kathy and Rich Viscusi (Gloucester Twp., NJ)

April 21, 2008

Al Thomas inspired me to become an English professor. Next to my

father, he was the most influential man in my life and a man I am

proud to have called a friend. I will miss his wit and wisdom, his

irreverent sense of humor, his way of deflating my pomposities

with a gentle irony.

Robert Arner (Winchester, OH)

April 20, 2008

Ironhistory has lost one of its more fluent apologists. Al was among

the first batch of modern writers to support women in the lifting

and bodybuilding fields, to offer them equal billing and some page

space in the magazines. A wonderful and kind man has left us. Rest

in well deserved peace, my friend.

Joe Roark (St. Joseph, IL)

April 20, 2008

Zenta, Zenta Marie, Mandy - I am very sorry see that Alf has

passed away. I have many fond memories of his visits and visiting

your home as well. He was a very interesting man and will be

missed very much. You all will continue to be in my thoughts.

Jennifer (Ziegler) Eisenhard (Reading, PA)

April 20, 2008

More than twenty years after taking Dr. Alfred Thomas’ aweinspiring,

American literature class at Kutztown University, I still

reminisce about those times in class when he replied to the subject

matter of our papers by writing his famous “So What?” question.

Hours were poured into the production of his inventive writing

assignments to steer clear of being the recipient of that “So What?”

question. His humorous, affectionate, and uncomplicated

interrogation of our writing served as a powerful metaphor to get

ready for life’s challenges. Dr. Thomas set a high standard for his

students at Kutztown University and was a passionate educator. His

ability to spin his zeal for teaching the subject of literature into his

vignettes centering on his personal account of the daily, American

scene created a nonconformist, academic experience that I

esteemed. Thanks, Dr. Thomas. I will always remember you.

Ingrid Fake (Reading, PA)

April 20, 2008

I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Thomas' passing. I had taken one of Dr.

Thomas' English courses at Kutztown during my freshman year - he

was certainly one of the most impressive educators of my college

career. I wish his family much peace during this time of mourning.

My prayers weill be with you.

Marianne (Reigle) Jurney (Raleigh, NC)

April 20, 2008

One of the finest teachers and men I ever knew. I was so glad to

have shared so much of my happiness with Dr. Thomas and Zenta--

wedding, babies, so many happy times. You were always my

inspiration. I miss you, Al. Many condolences to Zenta and the

family. I deeply understand your loss.

Kathryn Burak (Milton, MA)

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Dr Al Thomas: a life of Passion and Purpose.

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