Robert Warren Thompson

Robert W. Thompson (Bob), Lt. Col-USAF (retired), passed away on July 20th on his 93rd birthday. Serving 22years as a US Air Force and private pilot, he flew US Special Forces low level to the middle-east and eastern Europe during the Cold War. As a private pilot for the Civil Air Patrol in Alaska, he ferried indigenous passengers to seek medical care for both emergency and infant deliveries. The remainder of his military career, he was an Air Traffic Controller, senior staff officer and education. Bob had a rich and full life. Born in Gloucester, Massachusetts to Warren and Priscilla (Orne) Thompson, both deceased, he traveled the world as a "Navy brat" and an Air Force officer. His life was steeped in a diverse scope of activities. He received a scholarship from Norwich University in Vermont where he served as Captain of the Rifle team which won many NRA competitions. During his military service, he was an Associate Professor in ROTC education at Duke University. A graduate of the University of Maryland, upon military retirement he earned a Master's degree in Public Administration at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Bob began a second career as the Director of the MBA Graduate Business Program at Rockhurst College in Kansas City MO and director of education for the American Institute of Banking-Kansas City. After retiring from his "second career" in 1984, he and his wife, Ann joined the Hiawassee community. He began a third career as a real estate professional with Gene Brumbaugh at Hiawassee Realty and later with Charlotte Ledford Realty, while consistently giving back to his newly adopted community. He served multiple terms as both President and Secretary of the Towns County Lions Club, worked with the Towns County Food Pantry, and was a supporter of the Mountain Regional Arts and Crafts Guild and part-time worker at ArtWorks. An avid golfer, he was one of the original members of the Brasstown Valley Resort Golf Club. A former sharp shooter, he conducted firearms classes, for the local 4-H Club, taking the kids to several local and state competitions. He will be fondly remembered by his friends and loving family for his wry sense of humor, his sense of honor and honesty and his commitment to family by his wife, Ann and children, Laura Osborne (Jeff), and David Thompson (Angele'), his grandchildren, Patrick Osborne (Heather), Katy McGovern (Jonathan), Jennifer Beckman (Matt), Anne Kate Thompson and seven"greats"; Cora, Emery, Jack, Vaeda, Everett, Ryan and Pierce. A celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be contributed to the Towns County Appalachan Hospice in Blairsville, GA, St. Judes, or the Disabled American Veterans (DAV)