Chester "Chet" B. Thomas

Chester “Chet” Bruce Thomas died at home in his sleep at the age of 83, early on the morning of Thursday, October 16, 2025. He was born in Oakland CA on July 20, 1942, a fourth generation native Californian. Polio at age six affected his throat muscles and left him with a mild lifelong stammer. He graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1960, then attended Oakland City College.

Moved by President John Kennedy’s assassination, Chet joined the Peace Corps, which Kennedy initiated in 1962, working in community development programs in Turkey from 1965-67. As Kennedy hoped when he conceived of the Peace Corps, the experience opened Chet to other peoples and cultures, broadening his understanding of the world and initiating a lifelong commitment to service.

Following the Peace Corps, Chet returned to school at UC Berkeley then entered the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis. He earned a degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1972 then practiced small animal medicine in the San Francisco Bay Area. (His belief in the importance of a good explanation led to being fired from his first job, due to too much time talking with clients.)

In 1977, Chet decided to give up practice and focus on earning a Masters of Preventive Veterinary Medicine. He returned to UC Davis with his young family in tow, earning the MPVM in 1978. A PhD followed, awarded in 1983. Chet then joined the faculty of the newly formed UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, serving from 1983-2010 as a veterinary epidemiologist in the school’s Department of Pathobiological Sciences with a research focus on the effects of Mycoplasmas on animal health. He also employed his epidemiological and statistical expertise as a valuable collaborator on a wide array of projects at the school and elsewhere.

Chet’s interests, shared with his family, included backpacking, hiking, gardening (he was renowned for his chili pepper crops), and equestrian pursuits. He was especially proud of his US Dressage Federation Qualified Rider award and his many ribbons in pleasure and combined driving, earned with the three Fjord horses he trained. But it wasn’t just the ribbons (although always nice) that gave meaning to the time spent with his horses, rather it was the sense of communication and partnership with another species toward a shared purpose. He delighted in offering driving lessons to help raise money for the annual Vet School student auction and to help others experience that partnership.

Chet’s volunteer contributions included service as a Rotarian, in various equestrian organizations, and at Donald County Park near Madison WI. From the time of his youth as a summer camp counselor, he enjoyed helping educate and support young people. He loved spending time with his nieces and nephews, then later his son and grandchildren, veterinary students and young equestrians. One of his greatest feelings of accomplishment was serving on the UW Vet School’s Admissions Committee, helping select the students who would become the veterinarians of the future. His later years were enriched by time spent with family, friends and his horses, and in simply appreciating the beauty of the natural world where he lived.

Chet is survived by his wife of 54 years, Donna; his son Ross (Sarah); his grandchildren Kolby, McKade, Calton, Catherine (Nick), and Veronica; nieces Marci (Dave) Gomez and Jennifer Moore; nephew Mark Guyer; and brother-in-law Jack Moore. He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Lorraine Thomas, his sisters Judie Moore and Gail Guyer, and his nephew Mike Moore.

A celebration of life gathering is planned for Thurs, Nov 20, 2025, 1-4pm, at Cress Funeral Home, Speedway Drive, Madison WI. You are invited to gather informally to share memories; at 3pm we will raise a toast to Chet’s memory and hear a few words from family and friends.

Chet’s family is deeply grateful to Agrace Hospice Care, and especially Alli, his nurse; their care enabled Chet to spend his last two months at home in relative comfort. The family requests no flowers. Gifts in Chet’s memory may be made to the Chester B. Thomas Food Animal Veterinary Medical Scholars Program Fund at the UW-Madison Foundation, the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo WI, or Agrace Hospice Care.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434