ROBERT G. THOMSON

THOMSON ROBERT G. May 30, 1940 - November 17, 2023 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert "Bob" Gerald Thomson, a distinguished Marine Corps veteran, successful businessman, avid golfer, and legendary life of the party amongst his friends. Bob, a longtime resident of Ocean Reef Club, FL and Plymouth Meeting, PA, passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease on November 17, 2023. He was 83 years old. Bob was born on May 30, 1940 and grew up in Chester, NJ. He attended St. Bernard's school where he played football and basketball, putting his eventual 6'5" stature to good use. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1958 and attended training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. While in the Marine Corps he received training as an aircraft engine and jet engine mechanic, as well as completing his GED and first year college equivalency. While serving his country at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and aboard the USS Coral Sea, he was awarded two Good Conduct Medals and several marksmanship awards. He was honorably discharged in 1962 with the rank of Corporal. After a brief enrollment at the University of Alabama, Bob's professional career began in Northern California, where he worked selling industrial equipment for Westinghouse Air Brake Co. After several successful years in sales on the west coast he was tasked with turning around a failing division of branches based out of Philadelphia called Furnival Machinery Company. A visionary entrepreneur, Bob saw an opportunity to turn the division around and, in his words, "begged, borrowed, and stole" what he could to purchase the business from its parent company. Reorganizing the business and striking a deal with Komatsu Equipment Company gave him the opportunity in 1980 to acquire Rocky Mountain Machinery in Salt Lake City, making him the largest single distributor of Komatsu Equipment in the United States. At their peak his businesses employed almost 500 people and participated in hundreds of millions of dollars of economic activity across broad swaths of the mid-Atlantic and mountain west. Bob never fully retired, and the sale of his machinery businesses in 1997 allowed him to become a prolific investor. His business acumen and leadership allowed him to build significant interests in real estate, industry, and banking. One of his proudest accomplishments was his role as a founding investor and key board member of the Philadelphia Trust Company. His steadfast support of Philadelphia Trust was instrumental in the firm's early success, and helped build a legacy of continued growth to this day. Bob also found time after the sale of his businesses to pursue his favorite pastime and perfect his golf game. He competed with his friends and associates at Sunnybrook GC, Sankaty Head GC, Card Sound GC, Saucon Valley GC, and the Ocean Reef Club. His proudest accomplishment on the golf course was winning Sunnybrook's Silver Putter four times in six years with his partner and friend Paul LaNoce. Bob was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lynne Thomson; his children Courtney Robertson (Bruce) and R. Zachary Thomson (Stacie); grandchildren Dylan, Jordan, and Travis Robertson, and Sloane Thomson; sister, Lynn; and brother, George. There are many nieces, nephews and extended family members that will miss him dearly. His humor, legendary stories, global adventures, and numerous golf titles leave behind a legacy that will forever be remembered. Robert Thomson's departure leaves a void that cannot be filled, but his spirit will live on in the memories of those who knew and loved him. Per his wishes Robert was cremated, and his ashes will be spread in private ceremonies at some of his most beloved places. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.