Thursday, July 5th, 2012
Robert Thompson
Robert D. Thompson, 68, of Coldwater, died at 9:20 a.m. July 3, 2012, at Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater.
He was born April 2, 1944, in Van Wert, to Ernest C. and Gertrude McBride Thompson. On Aug. 21, 1966, he married Gail J. Knudson, who died May 10, 2008. On March 28, 2009, he married Louanna Smith Pennington, who survives in Coldwater.
Also surviving are a son, Mark Robert Thompson, New Bremen; two daughters, Linda M. (G. Eric) Temple, Wapakoneta, and Cheryl E. (Jeffrey G.) Christensen, Troy; two stepsons, Norman E. (Stephanie) Pennington, Beavercreek, and Mark A (Peg) Pennington, Grove City; two stepdaughters, Janet L. Pennington, Wolcottville, Ind., and Stephanie (Gary) Sellers, Columbus; three brothers, Steve (Marcia) Thompson, Rockford, Paul (Katy) Thompson, Gallup, N.M., and Phil Thompson, Rockford; a sister, Ann (Gary) Brown, Akron; four grandchildren; and nine stepgrandchildren.
He taught business education and computer technology at St. Henry High School from 1967 to 1997. He also taught adult education classes at Vantage Career Center in Van Wert and business classes at Wright State University-Lake Campus. Following retirement from St. Henry, he worked at Peoples Bank Company and started a new branch bank in Rockford in 1997, serving as assistant vice president and branch manager until retiring in 2010.
He was a member of Coldwater United Methodist Church, where he was chairman of the finance committee, trustees and pastor-parish relations committee, a lay leader and a member of the dart-ball and volleyball teams. He also was a member of the Coldwater Jaycees, a participant on the Jaycees basketball team, founder of the Leota Braun Charitable Foundation, treasurer of the Rockford Lions and a member of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce as well as the library and park boards.
He was named Rockford citizen of the year in 2006 and Ohio business teacher of the year in 1995. He was valedictorian of his Parkway High School graduating class and earned the honor of choosing the name Parkway Panthers. A graduate of Huntington University, he went on to earn a master's degree at Michigan State University.
Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Allen Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.
Calling is 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford, and after 9 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Contributions may be made to the Leota Braun Foundation or the church.
Condolences may be left at ketchamripley.com.
