Robert Charles Thompson was in 1927, the son of Harold A. Thompson, Sr. and Ida Laura Richardson. He was born on his parent’s homestead in Merna, Wyoming, the sixth of seven children. Bob attended a one room school until he went to high school in Pinedale. Thereafter, he graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelors degree in livestock management and served at Elgin Air Force Base in the Florida panhandle during the Korean War. More college degrees followed, with a Masters Degree from the University of Wyoming and a PhD from the Oregon State University in livestock production and nutrition. He married Marie Kirkham of Salt Lake City in 1959, and together they had two children.
Bob’s passions for teaching, getting to know people and places, and his sense of adventure led to a varied career. He taught at the University of Kabul in Afghanistan for four years and helped the Uganda Ministry of Agriculture improve livestock production in Kampala for a year and a half. He then taught agriculture at Western Wyoming College in Riverton, Wyoming.
Thereafter, Bob became the County Extension Agent in Preston, Idaho and then served as an Extension Agent in Monticello, Utah. Bob also taught one semester at the University of Amman, in Jordan. He spent two years in Rampur, Nepal at Tribhuvan Agricultural University as an agricultural expert. They traveled extensively during these times overseas and made many life-long friends.
Bob and Marie retired in Sandy, Utah and served in local wards and stakes, including 20 years as a service missionary at the Sandy Bishop’s Storehouse. He also became a licensed Real Estate Agent and worked with Miller and Company. Bob had the biggest garden in the neighborhood, with dozens of grape vines, and his flowers were the envy of all. Most of all, he enjoyed his family, neighbors, and fellow ward members. During the last year of his life they lived at Covington Senior Living in Orem, Utah, where he loved interacting with staff and residents.
Bob is survived by Marie Kirkham Thompson, his wife of 65 years, his son Harold Thompson (Kathi), his daughter Charmaine, and grandchildren Kirk (Sarah), Sean (Blair), Alex (Savannah), Kristina Southwick (Evan), Leah, and Nicole. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. His family was his greatest joy.
Bob passed away at the age of 95 on December 7, 2023 and we thank the Dalton-Hoopes Funeral Home and Cremation Center for their care and assistance. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from11 am to 12 pm at the Indian Ridge Ward, 9636 South 1700 East, Sandy Utah.
Memories & Condolences