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Senator Robert J. Thompson
1937-2006
Senator Robert J. Thompson Passes Away at 68
Years of Age
Active in the Community,
Chaired Senate Appropriations Committee
HARRISBURG --
Pennsylvania State Senator
Robert J. Thompson, who represented the 19th District including parts of Chester
and Montgomery counties, passed away today at the Hospital of the University of
Pennsylvania as a result of complications from pulmonary fibrosis. Senator
Thompson was 68 years old.
He was the son of Winifred
Thompson, West Chester, and the late Joseph H. Thompson and the husband of Nancy
Blackman Thompson.
Senator Thompson, who served
as Majority Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, began his career in
public service more than 30 years ago and went on to earn a reputation as an
honest and dedicated representative of the people. His public service career
began in 1970 as a member and Chairman of the West Goshen Township Board of
Supervisors. From 1979 to 1986, he served on the Chester County Board of
Commissioners, including four years as Chairman. Senator Thompson was elected
to the state Senate in 1995
Senator Robert C. Jubelirer,
President Pro Tempore of the Senate said, "Bob Thompson was the kind of
intelligent, thoughtful, and understated leader that Pennsylvania needs and
never has enough of. He confronted his personal medical challenges the same way
he did the public policy problems facing us, with optimism and humor and a
genuine belief in a better tomorrow. He had an innate sense of decency and
integrity that we will really miss. He was a good friend, a devoted husband, a
superb Senator, and a truly quality individual."
Senator David J. Brightbill,
the Senate Majority Leader said, "Bob Thompson was a true gentleman and a class
act through and through. Losing his wisdom, his leadership as Appropriations
chair, and his sense of humor will leave a void in the Senate that won't be easy
to fill. We have lost not only a respected colleague but a dear personal
friend."
Senator Thompson and his
wife, Nancy, made community service a cornerstone of their life together,
quietly dedicating their time and effort to numerous community groups throughout
Chester County. Just last fall, Senator Thompson and his wife were honored with
the Chester County Historical Society Founders Award. The Founders Award
recognizes an individual whose talents, activities and achievements symbolize
the vision embodied by the extraordinary group of community leaders who founded
CCHS in 1893.
Senator Thompson served as a
member of the Chester County Hospital Board, the Immaculata President's Council,
and others. He was the founding Executive Director of the Chester County
Chamber of Commerce and was the first President of the Chester County Chamber of
Business and Industry. He served in the past as the Chairman of the West
Chester Area Day Care Association, and a trustee of the Chester County Library.
Senator Thompson was best
known throughout the community as a loving father and grandfather with a sharp
sense of humor and love of life. Throughout his life he continued to dabble in
photography, a skill he learned early in his career as a journalist. A graduate
of Penn State University, Senator Thompson was an avid Nittany Lions fan. In
addition to his wife and mother, Senator Thompson is survived by his daughters
Amy, wife of Joseph Cacchio, of Glen Mills, and Melissa, wife of Michael Fry, of
Cochranville; four grandchildren, Andrew, Brendan, and Sophia Cacchio and Curtis
Fry, a sister Susan, wife of Robert Hillenbrand, of Downingtown, and a brother,
Richard Thompson and his wife, Donna, of Downingtown, and one nephew, David
Thompson. He was predeceased by a son, Andrew.
Senate Pro Tempore Robert C. Jubelirer Remembers Sen. Thompson
 
From the West Chester Daily Local:
Sen. Robert J. Thompson dies at 68
Sen. Thompson mourned at state Capitol
All Chester County laments loss of Robert
Thompson
Mourners remember state Sen. Thompson
Friends say farewell to Sen. Thompson
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