R. Thayer

R. Thomas Thayer, Jr, 84 of Oakland, MD, known to his many friends as "RT" passed away peacefully at his home on April 26, 2010 after a brief illness.

Born April 18, 1926 in Oakland, MD, he was the son of Ralph and Helen (Helbig) Thayer.

RT graduated from Hagerstown High in 1944 and immediately enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he served until his honorable discharge as SFC in 1946. He attended West Virginia University and graduated in 1950 with a BS in Forestry and was recognized with the Alpha Zeta and Scabbard and Blade honorariums.

After graduation he accepted a position with the Maryland Department of Forests and Parks and rose to the rank of State Forester for Maryland in 1962. Torn between accepting his new post as State Forester in Annapolis and leaving his beloved Garrett County he chose to leave the State and joined the Garrett National Bank as Special Representative where he developed and honed his legendary "People skills" and in 1965, along with his cousin, Frederick Thayer III, formed Garrettland Realty, Inc. and together they were instrumental in the creation of numerous real estate developments in Garrett County including the premier condominium community of Four Hooppole South and Sky Valley.

In later years, RT's foresight lead to the development of the County's premier affordable housing developments in the early 1980's with the construction of Pinewood's East, Meadowoods and Meadows East along with his longtime partner and contractor Richard (Dick) Devlin with now over 500 affordable housing units in Garrett County.

RT's past affiliations and memberships include: Retired member the Oakland Volunteer Fire Dept (21 years); member and Past President of the Oakland - Mt. Lake Park Lions Club; Deep Creek Lake - Garrett County Promotion Council, serving as Past President; Founder and Past Chairman of Autumn Glory Festival; member and Past President of the Maryland Farm & Land Brokers; Past Regional Vice President of the National Farm & Land Institute; past member of Garrett County Development Corporation; past member & Chairman the Advisory Board - Secretary Dept. of Natural Resources; member of the Board of Directors First Federal Savings Bank of Western MD; Appalachian Environ. Laboratory, Frostburg State University Board of Visitors Member; State University, Member Board of Visitors; Whitewater Championships, Inc. - member Board of Directors 1989; past member Maryland Housing Policy Commission; past Trustee of National Christmas Tree Grower's Association.

He was recognized for his service to the community with a "Certificate of Distinguished Citizenship" in 1976 by Gov. Mandel; the "Farm & Land Member of the Year" by the Maryland Farm & Land Broker's in 1982; and in 1986 "Honorary Golden Ambassador" by Deep Creek Lake - Garrett County Promotion Council. RT was also an avid gardener, fisherman and hunter.

He is survived by his three children, Tommy, Jerry and Mary Helen, all of Oakland; stepdaughter Sydne (Loy) Iwerks of VA; six grandchildren; Jessica, Brianna, Nathan, Garrett, Lindsey and Samantha.

The family will receive friends at the David A. Burdock Funeral Home, P.A., 21 N. Second Street, Oakland, MD on Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m.

At his request the body will be cremated. A memorial service will be conducted at his home later this summer.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of memorial donations, in his name, to the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department or to the Southern Garrett Rescue Squad.

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