Dr. Richard A. Thompson Obituary (2014)

Dr. Richard Arthur "Dick" Thompson died peacefully at home on Friday, November 28, 2014 in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 77. Dick was born in Cokato, MN. He was a graduate of Washburn High School in 1955, St Olaf College in 1959, and University of Minnesota Dental School in 1963. He married Kitty in 1970 and they had two children. After dental school, he served two years in the Army. Dick volunteered as a dental missionary in Nepal and Papua New Guinea in the 1960s. He taught dental hygienists and assistants at Normandale Community College for ten years. After teaching, he was a private practice dentist in Columbia Heights and Fridley, MN. Dick retired from dentistry in 1997. Dick was an avid woodworker, his favorite projects included a wood strip canoe, a dollhouse, a crib, toy trucks, and bookcases. He enjoyed biking across Europe and leading youth bike trips after college. He enjoyed farming in Morris, MN, and golf everywhere. Dick was blessed with a transplanted heart in 2009. The new heart gave him the opportunity to see his son married, and the birth of his two grandsons. Dick is survived by his wife Kitty; his daughter Sandy Thompson (Richland, WA); his son Rich Thompson, daughter in law Jaye, and grandsons Palmer and Neil (St. Louis Park, MN); and brother Robert Thompson (Minneapolis, MN). He is preceded in death by his parents Dr. Arthur and Hazel Thompson. A memorial service is planned for 11:00 am Friday 15 May 2015 at Bethleham Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis. Donations in Dick's memory can be sent to Second Chance for Life at secondchanceforlife.org, and Casa de la Luz Hospice at casafoundation.org.