John Hubert Thompson

Years ago, when at Virginia Tech together, and then at the US Census Bureau in the 1970s, John was perhaps my best friend and we did lots of things together. Not only was he incredibly smart, but he was well liked by everyone.

Even though it has been several years since we last spoke, I'll miss him very much. My condolences go out to Bonnie, and the rest of his family.

John was literally a great person, and I'm not sure I would have made it through Virginia Tech without his help. Again, I'll miss him very much and feel devastated by this news.

Best wishes to all,

Mason Malmuth

Anyone who takes on the responsibility of directing a federal agency should be so lucky as to find a senior executive like John. When I became director of the Census Bureau in 1996, I had plenty of experience in WHY the census but virtually none in HOW the census. That's what John had. From the outside I had observed John's career for several years and knew that he was "the real deal," and that I could entrust him with running the census operations. He did it not only well but with admirable equanimity and leadership-no wonder he was asked to come back from his stewardship of NORC to take over the direction of the Census Bureau! I am so sorry that John didn't have more time to enjoy his family and his retirement; he richly deserved that, and so did they.