Frederick Daniel Thumhart, Sr.

DELMAR – Frederick Daniel Thumhart, Sr. of Delmar, NY, died on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at home at age 80. He lived a life of devotion to his beloved wife of 56 years, Linda, and his son, Fred, Jr. Beloved brother of the late Rev. Anton Thumhart, Jr. of Manahawkin, NJ, his wife, Gladys, their children Anton III, Randy, James and Leanne, and sister-in-law, Clara La Bianca of Chappaqua, NY. He was born in New York, NY, attended Gorton High School in Yonkers, NY and Hunter College in the Bronx, NY. He served in the US Military before joining the New York State Police in 1958, retiring in 1986 as Assistant Deputy Superintendent of Planning and Research. During the citizen band radio era, he was instrumental in developing the pilot project of having troopers monitor channel 9, thereby enhancing the assistance to motorists and others in need. He was Director of the State Police Academy for 11 years, raising the Academy to international acclaim, due to his innovative training programs, such as reality based scenario role-playing. He created the accelerated Long Island University graduate degree program, available to all state law enforcement personnel. He was Director of Security for both GE Ordinance in Pittsfield, MA and GE Silicones in Waterford, NY. He held a BA from Russell Sage College, and an MA from Long Island University. On June 9, he received the FBI Academy Associates award for his life-long dedication to the FBI Academy. He loved the Hudson River and fishing, clamming and boating with his family and dear friends at his Shelter Island, NY summer home. He enjoyed wonderful friendships at his Naples, FL home. He was an avid amateur radio operator; his call was WA2VYP. Blessed with integrity, kindness, caring, and wit, he had many loving relatives and friends, who will miss him deeply. Heartfelt thanks to Hospice, and especially to his aides, Catie, Pam, Sheri and Chris. Memorial service on Saturday, July 15, at 10 AM, at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 Western Avenue, Albany, NY. Contributions in his memory may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 85 Elm Ave, Delmar, NY 12054.