Robert E. Thompson

On Friday, June 28, 2019, Robert Eugene Thompson, our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, brother and friend, passed away in the company of his children and their spouses in Pocatello, Idaho. He was born on August 15, 1919 to Claude H. and Maud Edna Thompson in Springfield, Illinois, the fourth of six children. At the age of seven, he came with his mother and siblings to Salt Lake City, and they settled as best they could in the valley. He graduated in 1936 from West High School, and began working at ZCMI, where he stayed until he was called on an LDS mission to the Northern States Mission in 1941. Upon his return, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp., where he served until the end of the war. Dad married Donna Elizabeth Cushing, Sept. 12, 1946, and they resided in Salt Lake as Dad started back with ZCMI. In 1950, ZCMI moved him to Idaho to handle the Idaho school supplies area. Mom and Dad chose to live in Pocatello, where they could stay close to their Utah families, but still handle the work. This turned out to be a wonderful decision, as both Mom and Dad grew to love and cherish the wonderful friends and associates that they made in Pocatello, and surrounding parts. He was a remarkable salesman of everything from copy machines and gym bleachers in his early career to Blue Bird school buses for the last 30 years of his career. Dad was a faithful and committed member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in a number of callings and leadership positions throughout his life. Having said that, the position he loved most was that of "teacher"...where he could look someone in the eye and really communicate. Dads love of music and singing was legendary, and he would sing to anyone who would listen...which always included his family and friends. He was blessed with a photographic memory...which he put to wonderful use memorizing poetry, long sections of Shakespeare plays, and the music of the last century. He was also a remarkable athlete, winning "All-Church" basketball and softball tournaments in the 1940s; competing in national handball doubles tournaments with his best friend, Marion D. Hanks; winning the Idaho State singles handball tournament 13 times (the last time being when he was 51 years old); and playing golf around the world with his friends and family well into his 80s. Dad was preceded to the next life by his wife and beloved companion of nearly 69 years, Donna (July 24, 2015), his infant son, James Scott (January 31, 1964), and his grandson, Andrew " AJ" Thompson (January 16, 2019) and great-granddaughters Kathryn Ann Watt (May 5, 1999) and Margaret Elisabeth Watt (Sept. 18, 2003). He is survived by son, R. Duff Thompson (Sharleen) and daughter, Elizabeth Jane " Libbie" Lystrup (James), eleven grandchildren and thirty-five great-grandchildren. The family expresses sincere gratitude to the wonderful hospice care workers of both Encompass Home and Health and Hospice, and Friends and Family Home Health who served Dad for the last weeks of his life. Special thanks is given to Kathleen Matthews and Kaylee and Tom Matthews for their love and care for both Mom and Dad over the past decade and more. We recognize and thank Rebecca Beckstead, Joy Fuda, Evelyn Morin and Michelle Jensen for their care and service over many years. Finally, the entire family honors and gratefully expresses appreciation for the care and keeping provided to Mom and Dad by their loving, dedicated and devoted daughter, Libbie Lystrup and her husband, Jim, over the years and decades...Heaven holds a reward for that kind of faithful, steadfast, selfless service. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 11 am at the Pocatello Highland Ward chapel, 2300 Butte Street, Pocatello, ID with a viewing prior starting at 9:30 am. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S. 5 th Ave. Pocatello, ID.

Visitation

07/06/2019 9:30

10:30:00

Rocky Mountain Ministries

845 Hyde Ave.

Pocatello

Idaho

83201



Funeral Service

07/06/2019 11:00



LDS Butte St. Chapel

2300 Butte Street

Pocatello

Idaho

83201