Obituary of Robert C. Thompson

Bob Thompson quietly passed away from complications due to cancer on Thursday, November 26, 2009 at the Monarch Wing of Skiff Memorial Hospital. According to Bob's wishes, his body was cremated. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 1:00 pm at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton, Iowa. Burial will be at Newton Union Cemetery immediately following the memorial. The family will greet friends from noon until 1:00 PM. at the funeral home. Bob was born on July 2, 1919 in Sioux City the only child of Chester and Gladys (Dunning) Rhebb. Sadly his mother passed away prior to his first birthday but he was happily raised in Ames by his maternal grandmother and her husband, Grace and Bill Thompson. Bob attended parochial school in Ames and went on to graduate from Iowa State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Upon graduation from Iowa State he joined the Maytag Company where he met Clarice Aldridge. On August 8, 1943 they were married in Newton. Bob served in the Air Force from 1942 until 1946 and the Air Force reserves following active duty achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his tenure at The Maytag Company he contributed in several positions retiring in 1986 as Superintendent of Production. Family and friends always came first in Bob's life. He deeply loved his wife and daughter, and treasured his relationships with his in-laws as they were truly his family. Making Newton his home for most of his life, he made many cherished friends. Bob was a life long member of the Newton Country Club and loved playing golf. His last golf game was in September of 2009 at his beloved Country Club. Bob loved the green green grass of the fairways and strived to have his lawn emulate that perfect look. Those left to honor his memory include his wife of 66 years, Clarice, daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Tim Wells of Windsor Heights, grandson Jeff McGinn of Des Moines, and great-grandson Brian McGinn of Des Moines. His in-laws, David and Joan Aldridge, their children Dave, Debbie and Mike, Francis Birkenholtz and his daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Bob LeBlanc and daughter-in-law Janna Beth Birkenholtz and many great nieces and nephews and cherished friends. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Hospice of Jasper County.