Robert S. “Bob” Thomas, 90, of Chambersburg, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Menno Haven Brookview Personal Care.
Born May 12, 1935, in Waynesboro, he was a son of the late Charles R. and Grace Hartman Thomas.
His beloved wife, Bonita H. “Bonnie” Hanes Thomas, preceded him in death on February 12, 2018.
Bob was a 1953 graduate of CASHS. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Education from Penn State and later a master’s degree also at Penn State. He was employed as a Physical Education teacher at CASHS for 37 years until his retirement.
Bob was a member of First United Methodist Church in Chambersburg where he taught Sunday school classes for over 50 years.
He loved fishing and hunting (particularly turkey hunting), attending his grandchildren’s athletic contests, and spending time with them as they grew up. He was a lifelong New York Yankees and Penn State football fan.
Bob served as a Football Coach and Head Boys Basketball Coach at CASHS, but was most well-known for serving as the Head Boys Baseball Coach at CASHS for 51 years. Before he retired from coaching in 2015, Bob led the Trojans to 833 victories, three PIAA state championships, 11 District 3 championships, and 22 league/division titles with 50 of his 51 teams finishing .500 or better on the season. Bob also sent at least 20 players into professional baseball.
He is survived by two sons, Craig D. Thomas (wife Carol) of Chambersburg, and Eric L. Thomas (wife Maureen) of Frederick, MD; five grandchildren, Lindsey Stauffer (husband Luke) of Havertown, Hayley Poisel (husband Elex) of Chambersburg, Charles “Chas” Thomas of Philadelphia, Kyle Thomas (wife Kayleigh) of Mt. Airy, MD, and Zachary Thomas of Charlotte, NC; four great grandchildren, Ellie Poisel, Warren Poisel, William Thomas and Oliver Stauffer; and two brothers, James Thomas (Sydnae), and Roy Thomas (Lorna), both of Greencastle.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in the chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Rev. Mark Terwilliger will officiate.
Interment will follow the service in Parklawns Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 6 – 9 p.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 225 S. 2nd Street, Chambersburg, PA or to The American Heart Association online here.
Condolences and memories may be shared at the funeral home’s website.
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