James R. Thayer

James R. Thayer (Beta Gamma)

Grand Regent: 1959-1961

Dr. James R. Thayer was born on September 7, 1897 in northeastern Ohio. His early education was obtained in Medina, Ohio where he graduated as Class Prophet from the local high school. In the fall of that year, he entered Ohio University at Athens (Ohio). Upon receiving the B.S. degree, he taught at and later became principal at the Milford (Ohio) High School. Following this position, he became a high school science teacher in Gibsonburg, Ohio. A return to university study at Wisconsin resulted in obtaining an M.S. and eventually a Ph.D. degree in 1928. Dr. Thayer then joined the Parke, Davis and Company in Detroit as a researcher. In 1929, he accepted a position on the faculty at the California College of Pharmacy. In 1930, Thayer assumed the position of Professor of Chemistry at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Allied Sciences. In 1957, he was appointed acting Dean and a year later became Dean. Among the various organizations with which he is associated are Sigma Xi, Rho Chi Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Chemical Society, American Pharmaceutical Association and the Missouri Pharmaceutical Association.

James Thayer completed ten years of service in the offices of Grand Counselor, Second Grand Vice Regent and First Grand Vice Regent before serving as Grand Regent in 1959-61. He performed many valuable services for the Fraternity and his work during some of the years following World War II was especially noteworthy.