Robert Thomas Jr., 73, of Bethlehem, died November 13, 2021, while golfing. Born in Allentown, he was a son of Ella M. (Traupman) Thomas of Zionsville and the late Robert Thomas Sr. He was the companion of Debra “Deb” (Troiani) Fritz for 10 years.

He was a 1966 graduate of William Allen Vocational Technical Program.

He was in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was awarded an Air Force Commendation Medal.

He was an employee of Air Products and Chemicals and later for Sumitomo Cryogenics of America for 30 years.

He was a member of Advent Moravian Church and of the church golf league.

He was a member of the Emmaus Senior Golf League and participated in many community benefit golfing tournaments. He was a lifetime member of the St. Peter and Paul Hungarian Hall, Northampton; the Emmaus Historical Society; Lenni Lenape Native Americans of Bucks County; Unami Fish and Game Association, Emmaus; the Bethlehem Food Co-Op; and the Nam Knights, Lehigh Valley Chapter, where he was known as ‘Indian Bob’. He was an Archeological Studies of the Native American Indians educator and event presentator.

He was a volunteer Santa Clause at the Vera Cruz Fire company in the Christmas season. His last act of kindness was through his anatomical gift donation helping more than 50 individuals.

In addition to his mother and companion Deb Fritz, with whom he resided, he is survived by a sister, Crystal Prickler and her husband Mark of Slatington; a brother, Jeff Thomas of Barto; Lara Boshell and her husband Edward and their daughters Rylee and Emma; two nephews, Matthew Prickler of Fogelsville and Arie Prickler of Malvern; cousins; and friends.

Contributions may be made to the Nam Knights, Lehigh Valley Chapter, to benefit veterans of the Vietnam War, c/o Cantelmi Long Funeral Home Inc., 500 Linden St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Arrangements were made by Cantelmi Long Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.