James Reuben Thomen, age 96, of Greenville, DE passed away peacefully on February 3, 2023 surrounded by loved ones.

Jim was born in New Orleans, LA, and grew up there and in Orange, TX. He received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rice University in 1945. While at Rice, he joined the ROTC as a Navy Reserve Apprentice Seaman and was Battalion Commander of his unit. After graduation, Jim was commissioned into the Navy as an Ensign and served aboard a destroyer in the Pacific near the end of WWII. After the war, he continued as a Navy Reservist and attended the University of Texas, where he earned his MBA. Then, he went on to attend Columbia University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering. In 1951, during the Korean War, Jim was called back to two years of active duty. Following this, he began his long career with DuPont in Richmond, VA. While working for DuPont, Jim was transferred to Lawrence, KS, Buffalo, NY, Wilmington, DE, Richmond (again), Florence, SC, and finally back to Wilmington, where he was Site Manager for DuPont’s Experimental Station (1975-1985). Following his retirement from the Station, he worked as a safety consultant through DuPont and then on his own. While consulting, he worked all over the world on many large projects, including the Chunnel between France and England. While consulting, he also wrote a book, Leadership in Safety Management. Jim retired from the Navy Reserve in 1985 as a Commander.

In retirement, Jim’s innate curiosity, zest for life and excitement for people and the world around him continued to shine through. He began making furniture in his basement woodshop; he volunteered as a “Senior Sawyer” helping to build the replica of the Kalmar Nyckel tall ship; and he was active in helping to establish the George Washington Society in Wilmington. Throughout his career, he and his wife, Lydia, worked together to provide a loving home for Ellen. They became involved in the various communities where they lived, making new friends, while also sustaining long friendships developed with people in places they left behind. He was always devoted to Lydia and selflessly cared for her near the end of her life. He recently moved from his home of almost 50 years to Cokesbury Village Retirement Community. There he enjoyed hosting his family in an independent living apartment and getting to know the very kind residents and staff.

Jim was a devoted, thoughtful, funny, kind and wise husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was deeply loved by his family and many friends, all of whom sought him out frequently for his sound, honest advice, practical expertise and good company. Jim never met a stranger; he shared his ideas, knowledge and talents freely with humility and love. He listened carefully to others in order to understand their perspectives. Jim also let laughs come easily and was quick with a joke or quip to keep you on your toes. He was blessed with a long, active life and the world is a better place because of it.

In addition to Lydia, his loving wife of 66 years, Jim was predeceased by his parents, Orell and Martin Thomen and his brothers, Toby and George. He is survived by his daughter, Ellen Thomen Clore, of Richmond,VA, granddaughters, Lennie Chaisson (Nate) of Falls Church, VA, Sarah Brown (Peter) of Brooklyn, NY, grandson, Johnny Clore (Melissa) of Lawrenceville, NJ. and six great grandchildren, Reese and Sarah Chaisson, Lydia and James Brown, and Tommy and Evelyn Clore.

A memorial service will be held in March and details will follow closer to the date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in memory of James Thomen to Hagley Museum and Library, Attn: Annual Fund, PO Box 3630, Wilmington, DE 19807 or Longwood Gardens, PO Box 501, Kennett Square, PA 19348.