Obituary of Norman Robert Thompson

Dr. Norman Robert Thompson Norman Thompson, resident of Chartwell Riverside Retirement Residence, passed away peacefully on Dec. 2, 2018 at the age of 103 years at University Hospital in London, Ontario. Sincere thanks to the palliative care team at UH (especially Wendy and Janet), who ensured a comfortable experience for both Norman and his family. Norman was born to Robert and Mabel Thompson in Strathroy, Ontario in 1915. He completed his undergraduate degree from the Ontario Agricultural College in 1939. Norman served in the RCAF reserves during WWII until 1946. He married his high school sweetheart, Jessie McDonald, at the Presbyterian Church in Strathroy on March 5, 1943. He completed his Master’s degree from UofT in 1949, and his PhD from Michigan State University in 1952. Norman had an accomplished academic career as a professor of agriculture at the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at MSU. He specialized in agronomy and crop production of potatoes. Norman held several residencies at the International Potato Centre in Lima, Peru, and traveled to many nations around the world to improve sustainable agricultural practices. Norman is survived by his beloved wife of 75 years, Jessie Thompson (nee McDonald); sister-in-law, Marion Savage; children, Paul Buckingham (Leighanne) and Jane Matthies; grandchildren, Lindsay Rivard (Jonathan) and Mark Buckingham; and great-grandchild, Maggie Rivard. A private family service will take place at the Strathroy cemetery on Dec. 19, 2018. Donations in memory of Norman can be made to the World Wild Life Foundation, https://www.worldwildlife.org/. While 103 years may seem like a long life for most, for the family of Norman Thompson it was much too short. His remarkable kindness, generosity, warmth, and intelligence made an extraordinary impact on all he knew. He will be dearly missed. May he rest in peace.