Professor Robert E. Thomas, 87, of Urbana passed away at 5:22 a.m. Sunday, August 20, 2009, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

A celebration of life service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, September 28, 2009, at Wesley Methodist Church, 1203 W. Green St., Urbana.

Professor Thomas was born November 25, 1921, in Hundred, WV, the son of Garfield and Rena Main Thomas.

He is survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters Ruth Thomas Taylor and Hazel Thomas Milliken.

A native of West Virginia, he began his college studies at West Virginia University in 1939. His education was interrupted by nearly four years of army service in World War II. Upon discharge, after completion of his tour of duty in Europe with 1263rd Engineer Combat Battalion, he completed his undergraduate degree in 1947. He earned his master's degree from Teachers College of Columbia University in 1948 and his doctorial degree from the University of Illinois in 1957.

Professor Thomas joined the School of Music faculty at the U of I in 1962. There he began to teach undergraduates and graduates at the school, travel the state to develop in-service education centers, and established the Lincoln-Thornburn Demonstration Center, a research/demonstration/observation center for training of music teachers.

Pursing his particular interest in music education, Professor Thomas also directed the Music Learning Center at Holy Cross School in Champaign, which he established in 1978. At the center he coordinated the Early Field Experiences, through which the U of I students earned credit by observation and participation. He also flew all over the state to provide service, research and instruction through extension lectures, seminars and workshops. He received awards for both excellence in undergraduate teaching and off-campus graduate teaching.

After a 27 year career at the U of I he retired as Professor Emeritus of Music Education in August 1989. He was then able to pursue more fully his passion for historic English houses, continue his lifelong interest in collecting antique china, glass, and furniture, immerse himself in the world of painting and sculpture, paint, write, cook, and deepen his knowledge in all his areas of interest through travel, courses, lectures, and reading.

Memorials may be made to the Robert E. Thomas Endowment Fund at the U of I. The endowment fund will provide annual awards to outstanding students in music education at the School of Music. To contribute, please send a check payable to UIF/School of Music, with "Dr. Robert E. Thomas Endowment Fund" entered on the memo line, to U of I Foundation, P.O. Box 3429, Champaign, IL 61826. To make a gift online, go to www.uif.uillinois.edu/gifts/startgiving.asp, select "other", and enter "School of Music-Dr. Robert E. Thomas Endowment Fund" where indicated. Condolences may be offered at renner-wikoffchapel.com.