After a long, happy and productive life, Robert (Bob) Thompson died peacefully on August 10, 2021, in his 96th year. Son of Victor Thompson of Ottawa and Katharine Copeland of Boston. Much loved husband of 67 years to Ruth (nee Hammond) and father of Catherine (Tim Reynolds), Roberta, Geoffrey (Atsuko). Proud grandfather of Rachel, Genevieve, and Emily. Elder brother of Philippa Fletcher in B.C. Bob was born in Ottawa, grew up in Grimsby, Ontario and attended Lakefield College School. He trained as a pilot in the Air Force, and then attended Ryerson Polytechnic Institute in electrical engineering and later joined the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve.
Bob spent 29 years with Canadian General Electric in various management positions in Toronto, Barrie and Montreal including the last eight years as a Vice President. From 1979 to 1981 he was President and Chief Executive Officer of General Tire and Rubber of Canada, and from 1981 to 1983 he was Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Tourism, Province of Manitoba. Bob's final career chapter was as President of the Canadian Sugar Institute, a food industry association, until he retired in 1991.
Bob traveled extensively in his job often with Ruth by his side. He was perhaps happiest on the water as captain of various cabin cruisers with his crew (family and friends) throughout the Ontario waterways, the Thames River in England and the Shannon River in Ireland. His favorite cruising in later years was the Trent Canal and Georgian Bay. He was an avid tennis player well into his 80’s, world traveler, followed national and international news, enjoyed aviation history, was a passionate genealogist, adept and capable at fixing anything, and consummate host. Everyone enjoyed Bob Thompson's happy hour. On any given day, he could be found pruning trees and landscaping his Barrie property to maintain the beautiful water view of Kempenfelt Bay. The last 3.5 years, he resided at Waterford Retirement Home in Barrie where he was well cared for by staff and enjoyed a friendship with Mary Macdonald.
Bob was buried alongside his beloved wife Ruth and his parents at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa on August 16th. A celebration of life will be scheduled in Barrie when family members are able to return to Canada.