Robert W. Thompson

Robert Thompson passed away on Saturday, June 14th after a great day in his garden.

Bob was born April 17, 1931 in Seattle to Bill and Germaine Thompson. He graduated from Enumclaw High School where he lettered in three sports and was voted, “Most Likely to Succeed.”

The first in his family to attend college, Bob worked several jobs to pay for his education. He graduated from Washington State College where he pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon. His Aunt Hazel Medina encouraged him to pursue a career in dentistry and in 1959 he graduated from the University of Washington Dental School. Bob was always a cougar at heart.

Bob was a dentist in Auburn for over 30 years. He was gentle in his work and kind to his patients. Everyone loved him. He was the last generation of dentists who “did it all” from fillings and cleanings to braces and dentures. If a patient couldn’t pay his or her bill, Bob would “barter” with them. He volunteered his time with the elderly in a cerebral palsy home.

Following his retirement from dentistry he spent hours upon hours in the garden. He loved working around his home and five acres of land, while playing with his dog, Bogey, and helping care for the 4-H club’s alpacas and llamas. He became a certified Master Gardener and continued to serve others, helping neighbors prune trees and sharing starts of his various vegetable plants.

Bob also enjoyed golf. He was a founding member of the Meridian Valley Country Club and was board president in 1976. Not to be left out of fun, he was a founding member of the Shank City Invitational Golf Tournament and played in the tournament for over 40 years.

His other hobbies included reading, hunting, fishing, skiing and hiking. One of his accomplishments he was most proud of was climbing Mount Rainer. He made the trek with Judy two times and was successful in scaling the summit in 1987. Bob also loved the Seattle Mariners and Husky football.

Later in life, he became a docent with the Black Diamond Historical Society & Museum. He enjoyed his weekly visits to Black Diamond and he loved sharing stories about the town and his childhood.

Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, Judy; his son Will, (Helicia) and daughter Sarah, (Tim); three grandchildren, Robbie, Madison and Samuel, his brother John, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. His smiling face, warm personality and love of life will be missed by all who knew him. He had an amazing network of friends.

There will be a celebration of life service on Wednesday, July 2nd at 2:00 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church (24447 94th Ave. S., Kent 98030) followed by a reception at Meridian Valley Country Club. Please join us in “wearing red” as that was his favorite color.

Memorials in his honor may be forwarded to The Black Diamond Historical Society & Museum, 32627 Railroad Ave., Black Diamond, WA 98010, www.blackdiamondmuseum.org, or St. James Episcopal Church in Kent.