Thomas, Rhulin Albert

Graduate of the Missouri School for the Deaf. Made a solo coast-to-coast flight in his little private airplane, Oct. 26-Nov.7, 1947. This was claimed to be the first solo coast-to-coast flight by a deaf pilot (but see Calbraith Perry Rodgers; Rodgers, however, was supported by a sponsor's train following him, with wife, mechanics and spare parts on it, while Thomas flew entirely on his own and paid all the expenses himself). Born on a farm in Arkansas; deafened at age 2 by diphtheria. Graduated the Missouri School for the Deaf in 1930; attended Gallaudet College for one year. First worked in the U.S. Senate mail room, then worked as a printer for various DC newspapers including the Washington Star, 1939-ca. 1961, then various Tennessee newspapers, then at the Washington Post from 1965 until retirement in 1975. After World War II, took flying lessons in his spare time at College Park, MD; won his license in 1947 and bought his own airplane. Honored by the mayor of Los Angeles and at the White House for his cross-country flight. Reportedly gave up flying in 1952 because of its expense. Lived in Florida after retirement until returning to Alexandria, VA in 1999, where he died of pancreatic cancer.