Obituary for ROBERT WAYNE THOMPSON
Robert Wayne ‘Bob’ Thompson, 83, passed away at home Sunday morning, May 7, 2023 while in the care of his loving family and Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice.
Bob was born November 16, 1939 in Negaunee to Ted and Margaret (Ford) Thompson and was a proud graduate of Negaunee High School, Northern Michigan University and Michigan State University, where he worked on his doctoral thesis. He was a biology teacher at Jeffers High School until his retirement, where he was endeared by his students and voted Teacher of the Year multiple times.
Known for his kindness and compassion to all, his passions included his wife, Mary Jo (Flannigan); family; the outdoors; gardening and sports. In his younger years, Bob was a talented baseball player and an enthusiast throughout the years. He enjoyed visits to Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers games with his family.
As an avid hunter, Bob spent time at his ‘Posh Acres’ hunting camp in Arnold, Michigan with his long-time hunting partner, Jerry Flannery. He also took delight in growing roses and working in his garden with constant support from his friend, Bill Johnson. His devotion to his canine companions, Honey Dew and Abby, was reflective of his friendly and considerate feelings to all. Bob’s quick wit was renowned within his family and friends. And he thoroughly looked forward to his family trips to visit his grandparents in Ireland.
Surviving are his loving wife of 31 years, Mary Jo Thompson; step-daughter, Katie (Bill Baus) Herrala of Milwaukee; mother-in-law, Marilyn Flannigan; sister, Margaret ‘Peg’ Wright of Negaunee; niece, Kathleen (Joshua) Hayes; sister-in-law, Peg Flannigan; brother-in-law, Dennis (Joletta) Flannigan; two nieces: Stephanie (Bill) Monette and Shannon (Joe) Brown; four nephews: David (Kimberly) Zettel, Geoffrey Zettel, Robert Flannigan and Jamie Marengo; five great-nieces: Izzy Hayes, Laura Monette, Brynn Monette, Mikayla Brown and Kennedy Brown; five great-nephews: Gil Hayes, Henry Monette, Declan Zettel, Eli Marengo and Dominc Marengo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Rene Flannigan; and brother-in-law, William Wright.
Bob’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional, loving care extended to Bob from his amazing home caregivers Debbie, Joanne, Chris and Jana, in addition to Dr. Riley Torreano, Dr. Roman Politi, Dr. Wayne Carlson and Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice.
Visitation will be held from 10:30 am until the time of funeral services at 11:30 am on Thursday, May 11th at Koskey Funeral Home. A luncheon will immediately follow at the Negaunee Elks. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Bob’s memory to UPAWS.
His memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com
Bob was born November 16, 1939 in Negaunee to Ted and Margaret (Ford) Thompson and was a proud graduate of Negaunee High School, Northern Michigan University and Michigan State University, where he worked on his doctoral thesis. He was a biology teacher at Jeffers High School until his retirement, where he was endeared by his students and voted Teacher of the Year multiple times.
Known for his kindness and compassion to all, his passions included his wife, Mary Jo (Flannigan); family; the outdoors; gardening and sports. In his younger years, Bob was a talented baseball player and an enthusiast throughout the years. He enjoyed visits to Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers games with his family.
As an avid hunter, Bob spent time at his ‘Posh Acres’ hunting camp in Arnold, Michigan with his long-time hunting partner, Jerry Flannery. He also took delight in growing roses and working in his garden with constant support from his friend, Bill Johnson. His devotion to his canine companions, Honey Dew and Abby, was reflective of his friendly and considerate feelings to all. Bob’s quick wit was renowned within his family and friends. And he thoroughly looked forward to his family trips to visit his grandparents in Ireland.
Surviving are his loving wife of 31 years, Mary Jo Thompson; step-daughter, Katie (Bill Baus) Herrala of Milwaukee; mother-in-law, Marilyn Flannigan; sister, Margaret ‘Peg’ Wright of Negaunee; niece, Kathleen (Joshua) Hayes; sister-in-law, Peg Flannigan; brother-in-law, Dennis (Joletta) Flannigan; two nieces: Stephanie (Bill) Monette and Shannon (Joe) Brown; four nephews: David (Kimberly) Zettel, Geoffrey Zettel, Robert Flannigan and Jamie Marengo; five great-nieces: Izzy Hayes, Laura Monette, Brynn Monette, Mikayla Brown and Kennedy Brown; five great-nephews: Gil Hayes, Henry Monette, Declan Zettel, Eli Marengo and Dominc Marengo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Rene Flannigan; and brother-in-law, William Wright.
Bob’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional, loving care extended to Bob from his amazing home caregivers Debbie, Joanne, Chris and Jana, in addition to Dr. Riley Torreano, Dr. Roman Politi, Dr. Wayne Carlson and Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice.
Visitation will be held from 10:30 am until the time of funeral services at 11:30 am on Thursday, May 11th at Koskey Funeral Home. A luncheon will immediately follow at the Negaunee Elks. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Bob’s memory to UPAWS.
His memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com