Obituary for Robert (Bob) D. Thompson

Robert D. (Bob) Thompson and his wife of 73 years, Mary Lee Herring Thompson, both died, together in their home at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines, IA, on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Mary was born in Adams County, IA on August 9, 1932. Bob was born in Ross Township, Taylor County, IA on April 4, 1933. The couple was married in Bedford, IA on August 12, 1951.

A visitation time will be held from 1:00pm - 2:00pm on Thursday, March 6, 2025, with a Celebration Service to follow at 2:00pm. Location is Scottish Rite Park, 2909 Woodland Ave, Des Moines, IA, 12th floor Penthouse.

Mary and Bob both attended and graduated from Bedford High School, Bedford, IA, in 1950 and 1951 respectively. Bob wore the #8 jersey for the Bedford Bulldogs basketball team and Mary cheered her beau and the team on, wearing “the first D in BEDFORD" cheerleader sweater.

Bob was employed by Gibbs/Cook Equipment Co. from 1953 to 1972. His job took their growing family from Des Moines to Mason City to Fort Dodge and back to Des Moines. Bob forayed into a few other business ventures over his working career, retiring from Ziegler CAT in Altoona (who acquired Gibbs/Cook in 1987) at the age of 62.

Mary left her two-year employment as receptionist for Taylor County Engineer in Bedford, before their first child, Michael, was born in 1952. Daughter, Teresa, was born in the last hour of 1955. 

Bob & Mary indulged their love of travel and playing golf together for two decades following their retirements. They spent several winters in the Gulf Shores, striking up new friendships and rekindling old relationships along the way.

The couple were vital members of the First Baptist Church of Des Moines, now in Johnston, since the 1960's. They were always serving, always giving of themselves and their time. Both served on boards and committees, visited and delivered communion to shut-ins of the congregation, taught Sunday School, decorated the sanctuary and alter for the changing seasons and holidays, and offered their welcoming handshakes and loving smiles as greeters... at the front door or the refreshment table. Wherever they were needed, that is where they were to be found, always together.

Bob & Mary's ultimate sense of love, commitment and responsibility was to their family, first and foremost. Their two children; Mike (Serana Means) and Terri Sutton, six grandchildren; Matthew, Shawnee Schuller (Danny), Lana Stanton (BJ), Scott Sutton (Aki Kuwada), Melissa Koop (Jonathan), Shaun Sutton and nine great-grandchildren; Sidney (Johnathan Costello), Tre', Sequoia, Jack, Spencer, Sylvia, Collin, Eddie and Whitney, each have stories to share of time and adventures together. Laughter was unavoidable!   

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Elfie Thompson of Bedford, IA and brother Richard and his wife Mary Lee of Dublin, CA.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Erve and Susie Herring of Bedford, IA.

Along with the afore-mentioned family members, the couple is survived by Mary's sister, Karen Eberly, of Carthage, TN, nephew and niece Randall Blanchard and Susan Blanchard, both of TN, and nieces Linda Walters, Kathy Johnson and Cheryl Kuks, all of CA. The couple will also be missed by many other family members and friends across the country.

Bob and Mary leave a Legacy of Love. Their obvious love and respect for each other was magnetic, up until the final moment of each of their lives. Mary passed at 8:30am on the 25th and Bob followed her four hours later. They positively affected and enriched the lives of every person who encountered them. They made the world a better place, just by being who they were.