Richard Charles Thorne

Richard C. (Rick) Thorne

January 9, 1949 – September 30, 2017

Richard Charles Thorne of Fishers, IN passed away on September 30th at the age of 68.

Rick was born January 9th, 1949 in St. Louis to Richard Arthur Thorne and Jane Fining Thorne (Minter). Due to his father’s work in marketing and sales, the family lived in several US cities, finally settling in California. Rick was an only child until age 12 when he became the proud big brother of baby sister Kim.

Rick met his wife, Carol Gossett Thorne, in 1990 while they were members of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir (ISC). They shared a passion for music and ISC and continued to participate as Steffen Singers. They enjoyed traveling together in the US and abroad and recently enjoyed cruises with friends. Their most memorable trip together was a trip to Maui in 1993.

Rick was an avid sailor; he encouraged all his children to learn to sail and kept a boat at the ready in Eagle Creek Reservoir. He enjoyed taking friends, family, and visitors out on the water to spend time together. He also loved classical music, especially Brahms Requiem. Rick served as ISC music librarian for over 10 years. In his youth, he was a sought after equestrian and competed as a hunter/jumper, and in dressage. He remained a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals throughout his life, a passion that he shared with his father and his children.

Rick earned a BS in Microbiology in 1971 and a Masters in Biology from California State-Northridge in 1977. His education and master’s thesis on Neospora Crassa and microbial genetics prepared him for a career in pharmaceuticals, including 21 years at Eli Lilly working in senior quality and audit roles. In addition to the international audit assignments he had with Lilly that took him to multiple European countries, he was a significant contributor to achieving ISO Certification for Eli Lilly PDS. He was also proud of a patent he contributed to while in their employ. He retired in 2010.

Rick was a loving son, brother, husband, father and stepfather. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and love of a good practical joke, his playful, outgoing nature, and his intelligence, but mostly for the kindness he showed to family and friends.

Rick is survived by wife Carol Gossett Thorne, children Trish Thorne Nuzzo (Costa) and Tera Thorne Schuetta of Tucson, AZ; Richard B. Thorne of Phoenix, AZ; stepchildren Jennifer Truex Powell (Steven) of Philadelphia, PA; Chris Truex of Fishers, IN; Andy Truex (Mary) of Waxahachie, TX; grandchildren Anastasia, Alexandra, Isabella, and Austin (AJ); and step-granddaughter Rose.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother; his sister Kimberly (Kim) Thorne; and son-in-law Craig Schuetta.

Family and friends are invited to express condolences at a calling Friday, October 6th at Flanner and Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite), 9700 Allisonville Rd from 4-8pm and on Saturday, October 7th at St. Pius X, 7200 Sarto Dr from 10-11am. In honor of Rick’s devout Catholic faith, a funeral mass will be held for him on Saturday, October 7th at St. Pius X at 11am. All faiths may attend.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir or St. Pius X.