Robert Martin Thompson

Robert (Bob) Martin Thompson, Sr. died on January 2, 2023 at Accura HealthCare of Aurelia, Iowa, following a short stay. He was 100 years old. Born on February 9, 1922, Bob died of age-related causes. Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. at the St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place from 1-2:30 p.m. prior to the service at the CHURCH. Burial will be at a later date in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery. A livestream of the service can be found by clicking the following link: https://www.facebook.com/stmarkstormlake/. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be directed to the St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Oncology and Infusion Center, and the Buena Vista Historical Society. Bob was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa, and grew up there on the family farm enjoying many adventures with his younger brother, Maynard. He began his education at Eagle Grove Junior College and then continued at Columbia University, New York, New York, during the service studying pharmacy. After the war, he received his BA from Buena Vista College, his Master’s in Education from Drake University, and did post graduate work at Iowa State University. Bob served his country for three years during WWII in the US Coast Guard. He was stationed on Cedar Island near Charleston, South Carolina, and was a member of the “original” Mounted Beach Patrol guarding the coast. Bob was a natural for the beach patrol, showing off his riding skills on a horse he named Eagle Boy as a nod to his Iowa roots. After the first year on the patrol, he then spent the next two years as a Pharmacist Mate. At the age of 35, with 11 years of experience in teaching, coaching, and school administration, Bob moved to Storm Lake from Castana, Iowa, when he accepted an administrative position with the Storm Lake Community Schools. He served 31 more years in education there before his retirement in 1988. During his time in Storm Lake, Bob served three years as Elementary Principal, ten years as Director of Elementary Education, five years as Director of Curriculum, and 13 years as Assistant Superintendent. Bob often worked behind the scenes bringing about positive changes for the school and community. One example is his assistance with a small group of great people to bring girls athletics to the Storm Lake school system. He acted as head softball coach and assistant basketball coach in the initial years. Professionally, he also served as Adjunct Professor at Buena Vista College for 15 years, President of the Storm Lake Educational Association, and President of the Lakes Conferences Elementary Principals. Bob’s community service in Storm Lake included: Lutherans in Action where he was treasurer for five years and a board member for 14 years; YMCA Board where he was President for one year and a board member for four years; Community Chest where he was president three years; Park Board where he was the secretary; City Planning and Zoning Board where he was a board Member for six years; Methodist Manor Care Review for two years; Big Brothers for four years; St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Council where he was a Trustee/Treasurer and served on various committees such as Parish Education and Endowment; Buena Vista County Hospital Board of Trustees for eight years with six years as Treasurer; and the Buena Vista County Historical Society Board. For many years, he was a member of the Storm Lake Municipal Golf Course where he played in the “Bingo, Bango, Bongo” league and in retirement joined the SERPACI car club (acting as President one year) driving his bright red convertible. As a baseball enthusiast, Bob played with and managed several teams including Onawa Red Sox Manager from 1953-1956; Eagle Grove Cardinals Manager; Storm Lake Whitecaps; Alta Merchants; Royal Merchants; and the US Coast Guard COTP team in Jacksonville, Florida. Bob met his first wife, Mickey, while in the Coast Guard and was married to her for nearly 48 years until her passing in 1993 from breast cancer. He once said he wanted to have nine children so he could field a baseball team. He and Mickey were blessed with seven. In 1995, he was blessed to marry Susan. Bob was known for his sense of humor and descended from a long line of Norwegians on both his maternal and paternal side giving him the opportunity to poke fun at himself and his Scandinavian friends by telling Ole and Lena jokes. Bob had a way with words and his children and grandchildren delight in quoting his many catchphrases. A few include: “Did you get that little bit of humor?” “I’ll exaggerate for the sake of emphasis.” And “I’m already telling you more than I know.” Bob had a memorable way of singing happy birthday and was the undisputed “Wright County Champion” of checkers, cribbage, and almost any game that was being played. As a youth, Bob learned sign language so he could communicate with his hearing-impaired cousin. Bob was a dedicated family man and trusted friend. No one entered a room without being noticed and welcomed by Bob. Bob is survived and missed by his loving wife of 26 years, Susan Thompson, who was his caregiver in recent years; his children: Chris (Gale) Castner; Mike (Rae) Thompson; Teresa (Garland) Koch; Lisa (Jon) Sandeline; Jon (Lynne) Thompson; his daughter-in-law: Nancy Thompson. Forever cherished by his 15 grandchildren: Tiffany (Matt Cole) Myers, Mark Myers, Jennifer (Don) Bocklemann, Jessica (Keith) Hennigar, Jeffrey (Annie-Lori) Thompson, Amy (Jess) Nauman, Kelly (Mark) Nelson, Dale and Christopher Frink, Alexander Koch, Jon Todd Sandeline, Alec and Samuel Thompson, Katie (Kollin) Cuvelier, and Megan Thompson; his 12 great-grandchildren: Frankie Cole, Brooklyn and Brianna Bocklemann, Dakoda, Candence, and Savannah Hennigar, Quinn, Delaney, and Rylen Nauman, Holland and Grant Nelson, and Trey Cuvelier; and his step-grandchildren, Madison, Halle, and CJ Walton. On his wife’s side, remembered by children: Cathy (Doug) Otto, and James (Alma) Kutzner; grandchildren: Spenser Otto, Kelsey (Troy) Hofmann, Jayden Otto, and Sean Kutzner; and great-granddaughter: Zoey Hofmann. His memory lives on with his nephew Marty and niece Pamela (Matt Fredrickson) Thompson, and great nephew, Gus Fredrickson. Bob was preceded in death by his first wife of 48 years, Mickey; his adult son: Robert Jr.; his juvenile son: Billy; parents: Martin and Louise; brother: Maynard, and Maynard’s wife, Doris.

Robert Martin Thompson

February 9, 1922 - January 2, 2023