(Robert) Blaine Thomas

May 22, 1934 – April 17, 2006

During his career, Blaine Thomas was a college English professor in Texas. He lived in Beaumont, TX where he was also an ACBL bridge director. Blaine made annual trips to his second home in Waikoloa on the Big Island. During the months that he was visiting the Big Island, he assisted many of the bridge directors who welcomed his experience and bridge knowledge.

Blaine moved to Hawaii upon retiring from his college professor position and became the tournament director of ACBL Unit 469, bridge director and manager of Kona Bridge Club, and manager and director of the Waikoloa Bridge Club. Blaine was directing bridge games in Waikoloa on Monday and Friday afternoon. Blaine also directed the bride games in Kona on Tuesday evening and often on Thursday afternoon at the Kona Outdoor Circle. After the Bridge Building opened in February 2003, Blaine was also directing in Kona on Monday and Friday afternoon as well as Tuesday Evening and often on Thursday afternoon. Blaine also directed a game on Wednesday evening at the Mauna Lani tennis center.

Blaine was a major contributor to the Bridge Building that was constructed on the Hualalai Academy campus and opened in 2003.

Blaine left the Big Island to return to Beaumont, Texas in May 2004 to receive medical help. He was then hospitalized for an extended period. His home in Beaumont that he purchased just before moving from Kona was being extensively remodeled while he was in the hospital. He was able to return to the Big Island for a visit in April 2005. The above picture was taken at his return to the Big Island in 2005.

Blaine took a trip to Europe in the fall of 2005. In order to make his flight schedule to Europe, he was airlifted out of Beaumont to avoid the car traffic leaving coastal Texas during the Katrina Hurricane of 2005. Blaine hoped the house would be ok during his trip to Europe during the aftermath of Katrina. Blaine had friends around the world. Blaine was courageous throughout his illness and in all of his life. He will be missed by Big Island bridge players and by his many friends throughout the world.