Robert Lee Thompson

Robert Lee Thompson (Bob) of Tellico Village Loudon, TN was called home to his Savior on August 31, 2024 at the age of 86 after a long battle with Parkinson’s and melanoma. Bob was a member of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church. He was the only child of Mona Drummond Thompson and Robert Nelson Thompson, born in Pittsburgh, PA on November 18, 1937. Growing up in Pittsburgh, he attended Crafton High School then graduated from Kiskiminetas Springs School (Kiski) in Saltsburg, PA in 1955. After four years at Colgate University in upper state New York, Bob went to work for U.S.Steel in Gary, IN where he spent his entire career, retiring after 30 years as Division Manager of Plate Products. Living in Ogden Dunes, IN he enjoyed fishing from his boat, bonfires on the beach, swimming in Lake Michigan, playing golf and bridge. Bob was a member of the Ogden Dunes Lions Club and looked forward each spring to working on their Memorial Day hot dog roast. In retirement, Bob moved to Tellico Village and continued his love affair with the water on a pontoon boat and continued to play golf and bridge and learned to play hand and foot and euchre. It was a natural to join the Tellico Village Lions Club. Bob is survived by his wife of 52 years, Frances Lynn Thompson (Fran), numerous cousins and his many friends and neighbors. Bob and Fran traveled to do a little site-seeing and search for birds. Highlights of their birding trips are Australia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica as well as almost every state in the US. Interment and graveside services will be held at Larkspur Conservation at Taylor Hollow in Westmoreland, TN on Monday, September 9th at 11am. Memorials can be sent to Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church 260 Wade Rd W, Loudon, TN 37774 or The Nature Conservancy 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22203 What to expect at a natural burial: Dress for an outdoor hike and wear appropriate shoes. Use the restroom before you arrive, there is no public toilet or running water. Carpool to Larkspur - parking is limited. Plan to arrive 15 minutes ahead of time. Family and friends will be welcomed at the trailhead by Larkspur staff and volunteers. The casket or body will be in place at the graveside prior to the arrival of family and friends. Family and friends will hike up the hill into the nature preserve for the burial ceremony. Words are shared and the casket or body is lowered into the grave by family and friends. With guidance the family and friends shovel soil into the grave until it is closed. Hike away from the graveside and return to your vehicle or explore the preserve. Leave no trash behind. Cut flowers are welcome.

Robert Lee Thompson

November 18, 1937 - August 31, 2024