Robert Frederick Thompson's Obituary
Robert F. Thompson, a long time Tacoma resident, passed away on September 13, 2003. Bob was born on January 6, 1917 in Seattle, WA. to Stuart G. and Hazel Thompson. He was the middle son of the three Thompson boys that included Stuart G. Jr. and Donald L.Bob graduated from Franklin High School in 1935 and went on to the University of Washington where he joined Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. After graduation Bob joined the Navy. In 1942, he married Gloria L. Pierce of Olympia. With the onset of WWII, the Navy sent Bob to Mine Warfare School on the East Coast. While he was stationed in Maryland his son Tommy was born in 1944. Also during this period, as a Lt. Commander of a mine sweep, Bob served a tour of duty in the Pacific.After the war Bob and Gloria returned to Seattle where he joined his fatherÂ's company and began his life-long career in the insurance business. He opened the branch office of the Stuart G. Thompson Co. in Tacoma in 1948. After the sale of the business in 1961, Bob became a partner in the insurance office of Stern, Thompson and Kennedy until he retired in the early seventies. Throughout his life, Bob had a passion for boats and water. He loved Â"dock stomping,Â" cruising the waterways, and knew endless boating trivia and history. He and Gloria enjoyed many wonderful cruises all over the world.Bob was preceded in death by his son, Robert F. Thompson, Jr. (Tommy) in 1948. He is survived by his wife, Gloria; daughter, Barbara; son-in-law, Jon Greene; and grandchildren, Jennifer and David.To Celebrate BobÂ's life, a reception for family and friends will be held Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 3:00 P.M. at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club.Memorial contributions may be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA. 98109, 1-800-279-1618, the Humane Society, or to the Franciscan Hospice.
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