Obituary of Richard G. Thayer

Richard (Dick) G. Thayer, 75, entered eternal life on Friday, October 20th, 2017. His introspective, hard-working and strong spirit is carried on by his wife, Sandra (Rasmussen) Thayer; their three children; six grandchildren and two surviving siblings. Dick is being remembered as a quietly loving father who dedicated himself to raising his family to work hard while always doing the right thing. Despite his demanding career which required him to travel often, he always found a way to make his children's athletic events or school activities. His love for supporting school athletics extended beyond his children's sports careers, as he loved to follow the high school basketball teams for Panama up to the very end. As an avid outdoorsmen, he was often happiest when left to his own devices – whether it was tending to the garden, cutting and splitting wood, hunting, fishing, or enjoying the quiet of nature deep within the woods. His love for hunting and undeniable accuracy as a shooter was featured in a book titled, "The Grouse Hunter's Guide" written by Dennis Walrod. In his book, Walrod reminisced about Dick's remarkably successful wingshot which earned him the nickname of Deadeye Dick at the local trap club. One of Dick's favorite past times was to share stories and discuss politics with his friends at the American Legion in Lakewood. His love for the Legion and interest in politics was sparked at a young age. As a high school junior, he was selected as a participant in the 1959 American Legion Boys State Conference held at Colgate University where he participated in educational leadership programs of government instruction. Dick was a 1960 graduate of Panama Central School and later graduated from Jamestown Community College. He was a proud veteran of the US Navy serving from 1963-67 as a radar operator with the hurricane hunters. Just prior to his retirement, he worked in the glass industry and was employed by Henry F. Teichman in Pittsburgh as a sales representative for ten years. Prior to that, he worked in sales at Carborundum for 27 years. Active until the very end, he was a member of Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, AMVETS, and Lakewood Memorial Post 1286 where he served as treasurer. He was a former member of the Busti Trap Club. Dick leaves behind a legacy of hard work, deeply thoughtful insights, and unconditional love for his family. He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren who surrounded him with love and gratitude: Sandra (Rasmussen) Thayer who he married on August 31st, 1963; son Scott Thayer of Ashville (wife Renee, children Camryn and Talan); daughter Seri Thayer-Loberg of Panama (husband Michael, children Kayla and Kiera); son Ryan Thayer of Lakewood (wife Renae, children Brysen and Cora); siblings Patricia Thayer-Wilson of Las Vegas, Nevada and John Thayer of Lakewood; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list but never forgotten. Dick is reunited with his parents, Robert and June Thayer who preceded him in death. Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Dick's life at 3 p.m. on Sunday October 29, 2017, at the Lakewood Memorial Post 1286, in Lakewood. Dick's closest relatives will gather for a private ceremony officiated by Pastor Keith Barreto at Sunset Hill Mausoleum in Lakewood on a separate date. Memorials in his memory are suggested to the American Diabetes Association, 315 Alberta Drive Suite #102 Amherst, NY 14226, Buffalo, NY 14226. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.