Bob was born April 19, 1930 to Stanley Louis and Margaret (Schuerman) Thoss. He attended Purcell High School, graduating in 1948. He then attended Xavier University until 1949, majoring in Business English.
After high school, Bob went to work as a shipping clerk for Williams and Company. In November 1949, he went to work for the Kroger Company as a produce clerk.
On January 8, 1951, Bob joined the United States Navy to fight in the Korean War. His basic training was at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. He then attended service school training at Norfolk for seven months and was thereafter assigned to the Communications Staff at the United States Navel Air Station at Norfolk. Petty Officer 3rd Class Thoss was honorably discharged on December 17, 1952 and joined the United States Navel Reserves.
Upon returning home, he worked for Cincinnati Gas and Electric as a groundman. In June 1954, he drove a truck for Gordon Foods.
On July 1, 1955, the Cincinnati Civil Service Commission announced that only 25 applicants for the position of Patrolman passed the examination and that Bob finished first. He joined the Cincinnati Police Division on July 3, 1955 as a Police Recruit. He was promoted to Patrolman on October 10, 1955, issued Badge 794, and assigned to District 2 (314 Broadway). Within one month, Patrolman Thoss earned two letters of commendation of the Police Chief, one for his Recruit Notebook and one for an arrest. On May 19, 1957 he was rotated to District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue). On April 20, 1958, he was rotated again to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive). Patrolman Thoss transferred back to District 5 in 1960. On September 10, 1964, having seen a photo at roll call of a federal prison escapee from Terre Haute, Indiana, Patrolman saw a man fitting the description at Clifton and Calhoun Street. He approached the man, said, “Hey, Sam!” and the escapee answered and was arrested. On February 27, 1966, he was one of the original group of men promoted to the new rank of Police Specialist and issued Badge PS-154. On October 12, 1966, Specialist Thoss was called to a report of a suicide. Upon arrival he immediately identified the death as a homicide of Mrs. Alice Hochhausler, the Cincinnati’s Strangler’s ninth victim. He was assigned to the District 3 Investigative Unit in 1967. On April 14, 1968, he was promoted to Sergeant, issued Badge S-38, and reassigned to District 5. On October 24, 1971, Sergeant Thoss was rotated back to District 3. Seven months later, he transferred back to District 5 and served as the Administrative Assistant to the Commander. On December 10, 1975, Sergeant Thoss was one of six pallbearers for Sergeant Robert Lally who was killed in the line of duty. Sergeant Thoss also served in the Warrant Processing Unit and Central Records Management Section. Sergeant Thoss retired on September 22, 1984 with 33 years of service to our country and community and 26 letters of appreciation and/or commendation.
Sergeant Thoss then went on to serve as a United States Deputy Marshal another seventeen years.
Sergeant Thoss then went on to serve as a United States Deputy Marshal another seventeen years.
Sergeant Thoss died peacefully on March 19, 2023 at the age of 92. He was the second oldest living retired sergeant.
He was predeceased by his sister, Joan Kelley. Sergeant Thoss was survived by his wife of 69 years, Barbara Jane “Betty” (Becker) Thoss; daughters, Terry (Dan) Duwell and Judi (Hal) Everett; grandchildren, Chris (Heather) Duwell, Lisa (Dan) Fry, Erin Duwell, Megan (John) Shoup, Brian (Stephanie) Lipps, Michael Lipps, Brian (Laura) Everett, and Stephanie (Matt) Everett; and nine great grandchildren.p
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of the Visitation Church on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
Memorials may be made to the New Mexico Heart Institute Foundation, 601 Lomas Blvd, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
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