Chet Thomas
July 20, 1942 — October 16, 2025
Chester “Chet” Bruce Thomas, a long-time, former member of our organization, died at home in his sleep on the morning of Thursday, October 16, 2025. He and his wife, Donna, were fixtures in the Madison area as they volunteered for many of the former Southwest Chapter events. At the Southwest chapter meetings, it almost became a game who could beat Chet to making the second on a motion. His sense of humor was lowkey, but infectious. Dr. Judy Batker, a founder of Country View Equine Clinic, said that nearly every time she saw Chet and asked how he was doing, he’d say, “Well, I hate to brag…” If you knew Chet, you knew he was not a braggart by ANY stretch. Member Erin Chelstrom wrote, “I have such good memories of him. He was always so kind to me.” Megan McIsaac agreed, saying he was “such a wonderful person.”
Chet was passionate about driving. Says eQuester Newsletter Editor, Caryn Vesperman, "Personally I will never forget sitting beside Chet as he drove his beloved mare, Trina. Then he generously turned over the reins to me. It was challenging—Chet made it look so easy! Trina was so responsive, well-trained and happy in her work. It was fun, and I think if I ever get to the point where I can’t ride astride, I would enjoy driving—except for what looks like a very complicated procedure to hook everything up correctly! What we can remember from Chet is how to be someone who helps and teaches others and to enjoy our horses and take pride in our accomplishments with our partners."
Chet was born in Oakland CA on July 20, 1942, a fourth generation native Californian. Chet served in the Peace Corps in Turkey from 1965-67, earned a degree in Veterinary Medicine from UC Davis in 1972, then practiced small animal medicine in the San Francisco Bay Area until 1977. He then returned to UC Davis for a Masters of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, followed by a PhD. From 1983-2010, Chet was a veterinary epidemiologist in the Pathobiological Sciences department of the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Chet is survived by his wife of 54 years, Donna; his son Ross (Sarah); his grandchildren Kolby, McKade, Calton, Catherine (Nick), and Veronica; nieces Marci (Dave) Gomez and Jennifer Moore; nephew Mark Guyer; and brother-in-law Jack Moore.
Marie Caldwell sums up what lot of us are thinking in a few simple words: “He will be missed.” Our hearts go out to his wife of 54 years, Donna, his children, grandchildren, extended family and his many friends who, as Marie said, will miss him.
The family requests no flowers. Gifts in Chet’s memory may be made to the Chester Thomas Food Animal Veterinary Medical Scholars Program Fund at the UW-Madison Foundation, the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo WI, or Agrace Hospice Care.
