Thornton died June 5, 1996, at his home, South Wind, in Newport, R.I. He had been troubled by emphysema for several years.
He was active in many social clubs in Newport and NYC, where he grew up. He attended Buckley School in NYC and Brooks School in North Andover, Mass. He entered Princeton in the summer of 1942.
After Army service in WWII in the Medical Corps, Thornton worked in Manhattan in advertising and public relations, representing especially artists and singers. He was also an investor in the hotel and restaurant business. His love of the arts led him to become a benefactor of the Metropolitan Opera, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and trustee of the Julliard School. He served as chairman of the Browning School.
A longtime loyal mason, Thornton served as district deputy grand master in NYC. He was a descendant of John Jacob Astor.
Thornton was first married to the late Carmel Snow, who bore him two children, Carmel Fromson and Richard T. III. His second wife was Josephine McCarthy, whom he later divorced. He is survived by his third wife, Sonia Lowis, his two children, and one grandson. The class extends its deep sympathy to the family.
The Class of 1946