David L. Thomae

York, Maine-Beloved David Lee “Bubba” Thomae passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at age 65 after a courageous battle with glioblastoma.

Dave was born on April 14, 1956 in Waukesha, WI, the first son of Helen and Thomas Thomae.  He graduated from Wausau West High School and attended Purdue University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management with mechanical engineering in 1978.  Dave met the love of his life, Lori, while both were freshman at Purdue, married on July 28, 1979, and raised 3 sons, Christopher, Aaron, and Adam, and a daughter, Sarah.   

Dave embarked on an exceptional career with engagements as Manager of Business Systems for Patriot Missile Systems at Raytheon, Vice President/Chief Information Officer at NEC Corporation, Partner of Benchmarking Partners, independent expert systems consultant and dispute analyst, and Executive Director, Advisory Services of Ernst & Young.  Dave designed R2APID, a proprietary program risk assessment tool, later adopted by E&Y as an innovative, interactive program assurance toolset for global clients.  He was a sought-after public speaker, the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions including the CIO “Top 100 World Leader” Award, and a published author.  With a lifelong passion for aerospace exploration and defense, the pinnacle of Dave’s career was serving as Business Manager in the Space Systems & Technology work group of MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA.

Dave was a loving, generous, and devoted husband to his wife of 42 years, Lori, father to sons Christopher, Aaron, and Adam and daughter Sarah, grandfather to 5 grandchildren and 1 newborn-on-the-way. He enjoyed attending and tailgating at their sporting events and ceremonies, a constant presence as a proud parent.

Dave had an incredible zest for life, always looking for the next travel adventure or road trip.  He was a lifelong Packer fan and avid outdoorsman enjoying motorcycles, snowmobiling, target shooting, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, boating, and all watersport activities at their lake house on Moose Pond in Bridgton, ME.  Dave had a passion for woodcarving and was happiest tinkering with his tools in his workshop, often saying “I can fix anything but a broken heart.”  He served for a short time as President of the lakeside Hio Ridge Road Association, and as a citizen scientist GPS mapping the contours and depths of Moose Pond for the Lake Environmental Association, as well as building a board walk for the newly established Maine Lakes Science Center in Bridgton.

Dave faithfully served as an Elder at Grace Chapel, Lexington, MA and as a founding member of Grace Community Church in Chelmsford, MA, instrumental in outreach ministry in the local community.  He was known for his huge warm smile, gripping handshake, witty humor, positive outlook, and kind spirit.  He was well respected and regarded as a man of high integrity and moral character, always empowering leaders and challenging others to be a better person.

Dave was preceded in death by his father Thomas Thomae and 2 step-brothers.  He is survived by his wife Lori; children Christopher and his wife Laura of Westford, MA; Sarah and her husband Tom of Kensington, NH; Aaron of Jersey City, NJ; Adam and his wife Michelle of Del Rio, TX; grandchildren Rachel, Luke, Leah, Liam, and Edith; mother Helen and siblings Sandy and Greg; and faithful Labrador Retrievers Kaiser and Tucker.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11am on Thursday, December 30th in the York Street Baptist Church, York Street, York, Maine with a period of visitation for family and friends from 10am to 11am prior to the service. Interment will be held in the First Parish Cemetery, York.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:

Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, PO Box 970002, Boston, MA 02297-0002 (Dana-Farber.org/Best)
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, PO Box 414905, Boston, MA 02241-4905 (givetoBWH.org)
Hospice of Southern Maine (http://www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/)
High Point House, the hospice and palliative care residence of Merrimack Valley Hospice, in Haverhill, MA; Home Health Foundation, Attn: Community Engagement,360 Merrimack Street, Building 9, Lawrence, MA 01843 (https://www.homehealthfoundation.org/donate/donate-online/)

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