Background
Thomas, William LeRoy was born on March 18, 1920 in Long Beach, California, United States. Son of William LeRoy and Margaret Lucile (Young) Thomas.
Geography educator cruise lecturer
Thomas, William LeRoy was born on March 18, 1920 in Long Beach, California, United States. Son of William LeRoy and Margaret Lucile (Young) Thomas.
Bachelor of Arts, University of California at Los Angeles, 1941; Master of Arts, University of California at Los Angeles, 1948; Doctor of Philosophy, Yale University, 1955.
Instructor geography, Rutgers University, 1947-1950;
research assistant S.E. Asia studies, Yale University, 1949-1950;
assistant director research, Wenner-Gren Foundation Anthropological Research, New York City, 1950-1957;
assistant to associate professor geography, University of California, Riverside, 1957-1963;
professor anthropology and geography, California State University, Hayward, 1963-1971;
department chairman anthropology and geography, California State University, Hayward, 1963-1966;
professor geography and Southeast Asian studies, California State University, Hayward, 1971-1991;
professor emeritus, California State University, Hayward, since 1983;
department chairman geography, California State University, Hayward, 1971-1974;
associate director Center for Filipino Studies, California State University, 1990-1991;
vice president research and development, Heritage Tours, Ltd., Oakland, California, 1981-1983;
vice president research and development, Chairman of the Board, Geo-Expeditions International, Inc., 1981-1983;
president, Thomas Opportunity Program Services, 1983-1990. Visiting professor Louisiana State University, spring 1966, U. Hawaii, summer 1966, University of Wisconsin, fall 1966, U. Toronto, Canada, fall 1968, 69, Georgetown University, 1992. Visiting research associate Institute Philippine Culture, Ateneo de Manila U., Quezon City, 1970, 76-77.
Fulbright lecturer Centre for Asian Studies, U. Western Australia, Nedlands, 1974. Fulbright senior research scholar Mariano Marcos State University, Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, 1984-1985. Organizer international symposium Man's Role in Changing the Face of the Earth, Princeton, New Jersey, 1955.
Consultant National Academy Sciences-National Research Council, in organization of section 6th National Conference United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 1957. Member technical consultant group California Public Outdoor Recreation Plan Committee, 1958-1960. Geografic consultant Pacific Missile Range, Pt.
Mugu, California, 1958-1960. Organizer geography section 10th Pacific Science Congress, 1961. Foreign field research, Philippines, 1961-1962, Philippines, Thailand, Burma, 1970, Australia, Indonesia, 1974, Philippines, 1976-1977, 84-85, 86, French Polynesia, 1992, 93, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, 1993, Indonesia, 1994, 95 Northern Australia, 1995.
Member ad hoc commission on geography National Academy Sciences-National Research Council, 1963-1965, consultant effects of herbicides in, Vietnam, 1972-1974. Chairman Asian studies council California State Colls., 1971-1972. Member committee international symposium earth as transformed by human action Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1987.
Invited speaker Virgin Islands Vernadsky anniversary symposium Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Academy.Scis., Leningrad, Kiev, Moscow, 1988. Guest lecturer Cunard Line 'Vistafjord' cruise, February 1992, Royal Viking Line 'Sun' Cruise, 1992, Paquet Cruise Company 'Ocean Pearl' cruise, 1993, Cunard Line 'Sagafjord'cruise, 1993, Seven Seas Cruise Line 'Song of Flower' cruise, 1993-1994, Cunard Line 'Vistafjord' Cruise, 1994, Crystal Cruises 'Crystal Harmony' Cruise, 1994, Regency Cruises 'Regent Sea' Cruise, 1994, Orient Line 'Marco Polo' Cruise, 1994, Holland-American Line 'Rotterdam' Grand World Voyage Cruise, 1995, Orient Line 'Marco Polo' Cruise, 1995, Royal Caribbean Cruises on Sun Viking, Far East, 1996.
Moderator United Church Hayward, 1988-1990. First lieutenant C.E., Army of the United States, 1942-1945. Member Association Asian Studies, Asian Studies on Pacific Coast (chairman standing committee 1979-1980, conference chairman 1980), Pacific Science Association (United States member science commission on geography), Association American Geographers (Pacific Coast regional councilor 1971-1974, citation for meritorious contribution to geography 1961, 50 year life member), Association Pacific Coast Geographers (vice president 1976-1977, president 1977-1978, Distinguished Svc. award 1988), California Geography Society (president 1967-1968, Outstanding Educator award 1986).
Married Mildred Phyllis Smith, April 10, 1942 (divorced). Children: Barbara Jean, Lawrence Charles, Virginia Jane, Margaret Joan, Pamela June. Married Loida Ayson Aquino, August 29, 1964 (deceased).
Children: William John Aquino, Lloyd Aquino. Married Rosalinda Zuñiga Valencia, July 4, 1986. 1 adopted child, Don Valencia.