Lt. Col. Abe M. THOMPSON

THOMPSON, VARO, SCHERZINGER, ABBAS, BERG, NICHOLSEN, POPP, GOOD

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/12/2008 at 10:09:20

Las Vegas Review-Journal, NV
November 5, 2006

LT. COL. ABE THOMPSON U.S. Air Force, Retired

Abe M. Thompson, U.S. Air Force retired, died in Las Vegas, Sept. 12, 2006, at the age of 84. He was born in rural Kanawha, Iowa, Feb. 11, 1922, and entered the U.S. military in 1943, where he served in World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. During his career as a pilot he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal and Presidential Unit Citation. At the close of World War II he flew exiled Norwegian government officials back to Norway. In 1946, he married Lois (Varo) Thompson and together they raised a family of three children while stationed in the U.S., Newfoundland and Okinawa. In 1964, he taught Aerospace Studies at Grove City College in Grove City, Pa. After retiring from active duty in 1970, he instructed JROTC high school students in Fargo, N.D. where he enjoyed playing chess and was president of the North Dakota Chess Association. In the last months of his wife Lois' life he took great pride in providing her constant care. During his final years he enjoyed visiting with his grandchildren and great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mons Abraham and Cora; wife, Lois; daughter, Cynthia; son, James; sisters, Inez Scherzinger and Alice Abbas; and grandson, Ian Thompson. He is survived by his children, Susan Berg of Ogden, Iowa, and John Thompson of Shoreview, Minn.; brother, Tom Thompson of Ames, Iowa; sisters, Jan Nicholsen and Ruth Popp of Scottsdale, Ariz.; grandchildren, Wade, Matthew, Adam and Aaron Good, Stephanie and Eric Thompson; and great-granddaughter, Bridget Good. He died peacefully with his children at his side and will be remembered as a war hero and patriot. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, at Kanawha Lutheran Church, Kanawha, Iowa, followed by burial with full military honors at Amsterdam Township Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Amsterdam Township Cemetery, 1285 Maple Ave., Kanawha, IA 50447.