Dave Thor has recorded a long and distinguished career in the sport of gymnastics. He has achieved success in every part of the gymnastics. He has participated in Olympic competitions, Pan American Games, and the World University Games. Thor competed in high school for Reseda High School from 1961-1964. He then went on to compete at the collegiate level under George Szypula.

While at MSU he earned the Big Ten all-around titles in 1966, 1967, and 1968. In 1967 he was an alternate for the World University Games team. That same year, he competed at the 1967 Pan American Games where he garnered a team gold medal, and bronze medals in the all-around, floor exercise, and pommel horse, At the 1968 NCAA Championships he placed third all-around. Thor was a member of the 1968 Olympic Team that competed in Mexico City . He recorded the highest finish of the U.S athletes at 26 th . He also tied for fourth on pommel horse in preliminary competitions. In 1969, Thor was the U.S. National Champion on both floor exercise and pommel horse.

Along with gymnastics, Thor is also accomplished as a coach. He was coached at Michigan State University , Southern Connecticut University, and Temple University . At one time he also owned and coached Sonoma Gymnastics Academy in California . Thor has a BS in Mathematics from MSU and a MS in Educational Research from Southern Connecticut . He has one son and resides in Sandy, Utah.