THOMPSON D.D.S., Robert Roberts

Dr. Robert R. Thompson, D.D.S. of Whittier and Balboa Island passed away in his Island home on February 25, 2007. Born on November 23, 1921, in Ft. Bridger, Wyoming, he moved to California and settled in Whittier. He attended Whittier College where he played football and was on academic scholarship.

He graduated from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 1946, and was a member of the Xi Psi Phi Fraternity. Following a stint in the United States Army, where he rose to the rank of captain, Dr. Thompson had a private practice in Whittier and was a dentist for an astounding 58 years before retiring in 2004.

Throughout his career, he gathered many professional honors, achievements and recognition including being conferred the title of Fellow by the Academy of General Dentistry. He was a past-president of the American Association of Hospital Dentists, founded the hospital dentistry program at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital and was a member of the faculty at USC’s School of Dentistry. He made films about the practice of hospital dentistry, held a number of patents for new dental instruments and was a certified Dental Examiner for the California Dental Association.

He served as a Trustee on many boards including those of Whittier College and the Catalina Island School for Boys and was a member of many service clubs and organizations.

However, his greatest accomplishment was the love and affection he exhibited for his family and wide circle of friends. He was a man with a kind heart who loved nothing more than to surround himself with his family. He will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched.

Dr. Thompson was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Shirley Hoberg Thompson, who passed away in late 2004. He is survived by his three children, Sara Thompson Brawner of Newport Beach, Gary Robert Thompson and wife Sally of Queen Creek, Arizona, and John Henry Thompson and wife Jan of South Pasadena; his brother Rex Roberts and wife Mary of Annandale, Virginia; and his seven grandchildren, Chase and Ella Brawner, Christopher and Matthew Thompson, and Blake, Allison and Landon Thompson, who will miss their kind and caring “Papa.”

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 3233 Pacific View Drive, Corona Del Mar, CA. 92625.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital Foundation, 12401 Washington Blvd., Whittier, CA 90602.

Comments and thoughts can be sent to ThompsonFamily@earthlink.net