Robert Thompson

Robert Brooks Thompson (Bob) passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2009, after a long battle with cancer. Bob was in his home, in the loving company of his family.





He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diane; his son, Brooks; his daughter, Cindy; and grandsons, Mitch (and wife Rebekah) of Seattle, Wash., Grant, of Stillwater, and Brett, of St, Paul.





Also remembering him are Brooks' fianc/e Debi, her son Chris, and daughter-in-law, Becka; in addition to his many friends.





Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Fred H. and Gertrude L. Thompson.





Bob and his parents lived their entire lives in the Valley. He attended Lincoln, Garfield, and Washington Elementary Schools. He graduated in 1949 from Stillwater High School.





After attending St. Cloud State College for one year, he spent 18 months in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict; leaving Stillwater with the Heavy Mortar Company of the National Guard in 1950.





Bob returned to Stillwater and continued to work with his father at Thompson Hardware on Main Street. When his father retired in 1962, Bob took over the store. Bob retired in 2001 after 60 years of award-winning work and service in the hardware business.





He took considerable pride in his thorough involvement in family, business, and community affairs in the Valley; as well as his pride for Stillwater, the St. Croix Valley, his country, and the people he respected, knew, and loved.





A philanthropist and role model, Bob connected with numerous people on professional, volunteer, mentoring, and leadership basis with his ever-ready, friendly smile and handshakes for all. Bob will be remembered by many as Stillwater's "Handy, Helpful, Hardware Man." To many others, he will be remembered as their friend Bob.





Refusing to be uninvolved with his community, Bob continued to work a job delivering medicine for St. Croix Drug and would tutor children of local schools. Fervently, he also continued to work on his lifelong hobby of H.O. Model Railroading and enjoying time with his family and friends in the house that he and Diane built, maintained, and loved.





On Tuesday, May 5, 2009, a graveside service will at Fairview Cemetery in Stillwater will be held at 2:30 p.m. with a Memorial Service at 6 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 6201 Osgood Ave. N., in Stillwater. The family will receive friends for a light supper in the church fellowship area following the service.





Suggestions for memorials are Lakeview HomeCare and Hospice or First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater.





Arrangements have been made through Bradshaw Funeral & Cremation Services.