Robert Arthur Thompson 1918-2012

THOMPSON ANDERSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/20/2012 at 12:51:59

Sioux City Journal
August 26, 2012

SIOUX CITY | Robert Arthur Thompson, 94, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Sioux City, passed away Monday, Aug. 20, 2012, at Cottage Grove Place in Cedar Rapids.

Abiding by his wishes, there will be no services. Burial will be in Rock Island (Ill.) Military Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Marion, Iowa. Online condolences may be posted at www.murdochfuneralhome.com.

Robert was born in 1918 in Sioux City, the son of Arthur and Mildred (Anderson) Thompson. His family owned Thompson Drug Store on West Seventh Street, the oldest drug store in Sioux City. Robert graduated from Central High School in 1936, and attended Morningside College. He graduated with honors in 1940 from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a business administration degree. Bob attended graduate school at Northwestern College in Chicago.

Robert served in England during World War II. He was recalled to active duty with the U.S. Air Force for the Korean War in 1950. He reported to Chanute Field at Champaign Ill., and then to Camp Stoneman in California. He was sent to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska. Bob retired after 22 years of military service with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was proud of his military service.

Bob considered himself fortunate to have a good marriage and built a life with the woman he loved. Bob and Shirley met on a blind date arranged by a nurse in Chicago. They married May 28, 1949, at Thorndike Hilton Chapel on the University of Chicago campus.

Bob was employed by LOOK magazine (Meredith Corp.) in Des Moines immediately after college. He lived on Grand Avenue and was able to walk to work. However, World War II broke out shortly and he left his job and joined the Armed Forces. Sears Headquarters in Chicago was his next employer. He was a writer in the advertising department. Soon after that he was recalled for the Korean War. After a few years in Alaska at Elmendorf Air Force Base, he and Shirley moved to his hometown of Sioux City to start a family and built their home on Sunset Circle. He retired in 1978 from the communications department of Iowa Public Service Company in Sioux City.

Robert was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and Retired Officers Association. He was a past member of the Sioux City Museum Board and past president of Sioux City Advertising Club. He was a member of First Congregational Church in Sioux City.

In his younger days, he was a voracious reader who would visit the library weekly. He loved to discuss politics and the day's news. He enjoyed playing golf with his buddies, and playing racquetball. Bob had a quick wit that would put a smile on many a face. He was a kind and compassionate man.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Shirley Thompson; his daughter, Pamela Mahany of Cedar Rapids; a grandson, Brandon (Heather) Carr of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; a sister, Janice Marsh of Sun City West, Ariz.; a sister-in-law, Verna Holmgren of Ishpeming, Mich.; three nieces, Debbie, Joan and Julianne; and two nephews, Richard and David.

Robert was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Ronald Mahany; brothers-in-law, Dr. Elwin Marsh of Sun City West and Lou Holmgrem of Ishpeming; and a nephew, Dr. Steve Marsh of Sioux City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Ronald L. Mahany Endowment Fund, St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids.

Bob's family wishes to thank the kind and compassionate staff of Memory Care at Cottage Grove and Mercy Hospice.