THOMPSON, Thomas H. 1924-2016

THOMPSON, SARGENT

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 4/30/2016 at 19:02:12

Thomas H. Thompson 1924-2016

Thomas H. Thompson died on April 28, 2016, at NewAldaya. He was born in Sioux City, Iowa in 1924, to parents Ruth and Elmer Thompson.

He was married to Diane Sargent Thompson for 58 years, until her death on his 91st birthday, January 10, 2015. He is survived by his children Brenda Thompson, Alicia Kamm (and her husband Tom Kamm), Mark Thompson, and Rosemary Thompson; and his grandchildren Evan, Brian, and Lydia Kamm.

Thomas began playing in jazz and dance bands while a student at East High School in Sioux City, and for a time had a full-time job playing jazz in a nightclub. He continued playing his baritone saxophone in band jobs through the 50s and 60s, and much later with the Cedar Falls Municipal Band and with his own California Street Sax Quartet, which performed at community events.

He earned his undergraduate (1948), master’s (1950), and PhD (1952) all in philosophy at the University of Iowa. He spent his entire career at the University of Northern Iowa, starting as an instructor in philosophy in 1952. He rose up through the ranks, becoming the first head of the Department of Philosophy and Religion in 1969, and then dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts in 1981. He went back to teaching large sections in humanities in the liberal arts core program in 1990, and was named a professor emeritus upon his retirement in 1994.

Thomas was a regular contributor to the editorial page of the Waterloo Courier, and participated in UNI’s Emeritus Association, the town-and-gown supper club, a decades-long book club, and several lunch groups with his former colleagues.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 1, at 11 a.m. at Richardson Funeral Home, 615 Main Street in Cedar Falls. All are welcome.

Source: Richardson Funeral Home

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