Chester "Chet" B. Thomas

Chester “Chet” Bruce Thomas died at home in his sleep on the morning of Thursday, October 16, 2025. He was born in Oakland CA on July 20, 1942, a fourth generation native Californian. Chet served in the Peace Corps in Turkey from 1965-67, earned a degree in Veterinary Medicine from UC Davis in 1972, then practiced small animal medicine in the San Francisco Bay Area until 1977. He then returned to UC Davis for a Masters of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, followed by a PhD. From 1983-2010, Chet was a veterinary epidemiologist in the Pathobiological Sciences department of the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. 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. A full obituary will follow shortly.

A celebration of life gathering is planned for Thurs, Nov 20, 2025, 1-4pm, with specific details to follow. We are deeply grateful to Agrace Hospice Care, and especially nurse Alli; 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 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