Robert Joseph Thompson

Robert Joseph Thompson, (96), passed away from pneumonia on June 10, 2023 in The Villages, Florida.

Robert, fondly known as Bob, was born to Meyer “Mickey” and Annette Thompson on February 28, 1927, in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, CA. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953, receiving an honorable discharge. He attended both UCLA and UCSB and upon receiving his California teaching credentials became a distinguished high school teacher educating thousands of students in the Los Angeles Unified School District, initially in the field of Industrial Arts and then in math and computer science, ultimately spanning 30 years. He also was a real estate broker/owner of Thompson Realty in California. Once retired, he and his loving wife of 52 years, Bobbi Thompson, moved to Arroyo Grande in central California and then to Murrieta in Southern California and in 2018 moved to The Villages in Florida. Bob enjoyed and excelled at his many hobbies and pastimes including woodworking, working out at the gym, building models, flying remote control airplanes, travel —from England to Hawaii and as many places as possible in between—as well as gardening, repairing almost anything and everything and, most especially, enjoyed his time spent with his grandchildren, extended family and many long time friends.

Bob is survived by his wife Bobbi and four daughters, Janet, Linda, Diane and Claire (spouse Jon Mukri)and his grandchildren, Darcy Leigh, Jillian Bartels (fiancée Brendan Beggs) and grandson Evan Bartels. He is also survived by his nephews, Steve and Craig, his niece Leslie, and their mother, Bob’s sister-in-law, Ada Thompson ; his brother in law, Ian Leigh and wife Kate. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Mickey and Annette Thompson and his big brother Daniel “Danny” Thompson. Bob dearly loved, and was proud to have been loved, by them all.

To have known Bob was to have loved Bob for he was one of the most kind and humble people one could ever know. His warm presence made even the newest friend feel welcome and his smile immediately lit up the room where he was. He was a witty, charming , extremely sociable and talented human being. He delighted in being Grandad Bob to his grandchildren , “Bob the Builder” to his friends, Dad to his daughters,daddy to all his beloved pets, Uncle Bob to his neice and nephews and, most of all, valued being the the loving husband Bob to his dearly beloved wife Bobbi for over 52 years.

He loved a good spaghetti dinner, a nice glass of red wine, Star Trek movies, reading good books, watching old Hollywood films and tea and biscuits . He will be missed greatly - to infinity and beyond.

Bob will be interred with honors at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell on July 7, 2023.

His family now asks friends and family to share with them their fondest memories of Bob as a way to honor and celebrate his long and well lived life.

Zichrona livricha (Hebrew) “May his memory be a blessing”

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/ocala-cremation for the Thompson family.