ROBERT JAMES THOMPSON

You lived long enough to see Valley Youth House grow to be 37 years of age. Your idea l that a shelter was needed to care for runaway youth became a reality in 1973 only because you convinced others. Your idea has now served teens for 50 years. Happy Birthday Valley Youth House. Thankyou Bob Thompson. Our world needs more like you now.
Garr Stone first Executive Director of Valley Youth House

Bob,
Your kindness, encouragement and dedication to your profession made this world a better place. You will live on through all of us who remember you and were blessed to cross your path in life for one only dies when they are forgotten. Your still with us my friend.

Still remembering Bob after all these years! I worked with him 30+ years ago. His memory and gentleness live on

Bob always had a smile, story and open door for us. Our deepest condolences to Nadine and their family.

To the Thompson Family, Bob was my English teacher at Liberty High School in '64 and '65. In his class he brought Shakespeare and other great writers to life for me. He also brought American citizenship to life through his tireless and good humored teaching style, both in class and in the community. Participating in the Illicks Mill project was a life changing experience for me and many other teenagers during the creative if turbulant Sixties. I was not surprised to learn only recently that Bob was a graduate of my alma mater Amherst College. Bob brought enlightenment and excellence to many people. Sincerely, Michael Sell, Easthampton MA

dear Bobby Thompson family,
You were such a lovely part of my life, cheerful, positive supportive, a real cheer leader. we were members of the same Amherst College wrestling team. You at 145 pounds were terrific. You encouraged me, made me believe in myself and helped me develop my "I can do it at even at great odds" attitude.
You will be deeply missed. you were a great light for all of us to follow.

Your buddy,

Moe Wolff
Amherst '58

Thompson Family and Friends,
My deep sympathy to all. Please keep fond memories of Bob in your hearts. He served community, especially kids, with great distinction. God Bless him and may he Rest in Peace. Sincerely,

To the Thompson Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Bob's death. Bob was my favorite teacher at Freedom High School, and I had the great pleasure of working with him in the Southside Community in the early sixties, before I went away to college. He was a truly great and compassionate person.

You and your family are in my prayers

Willina L. Walker, M.Ed

I worked with Bob in 1974 when he chaired the board of the Bethlehem Neighborhood Centers and I was its executive director. I was only 25 at the time and full of youthful energy. Sometimes my enthusiasm lead to not the best strategies to deal with the local housing authority. While other board members shook their heads, Bob always provided guidance in a way that I knew was based on his own experience as a quiet, but effective, advocate for justice.

Larry Kressley
Cortlandt Manor, NY

Dear Emily, Jessica and family,

I was saddened to hear of the unexpected and accidental death of your father. It has been many years since I was your second grade teacher, Emily, but I vividly remember you, your sister, Jessica, and your parents. Your dad was always a believer in a strong education system and he brought his knowledge and wisdom to help the Bethlehem Area School Board make decisions that best benefited the students in the Bethlehem Area School District. I extend my deepest sympathy to you and your family.

I was saddened by the news of Bob's passing. Memories of him as an energetic young teacher, a mentor to all who's lives he touched; Illick's Mill will always be "Bob's Project"; kind and often amusing words and his quiet strength even with his physical problems. As an adult I joined him with South Bethlehem Neigborhood Center where it was always about pride in the Southside and especially the youth. I count myself among the many who will miss his physical presence, but his memory will last forever.

You never know when you will meet someone that will change your life forever. Bob was my teacher at Liberty High School in the early sixties. He was so aware and I so unaware of my surroundings and the people that filled them. He brought me Skip James, showed me that the poorest community could be changed with solid leadership and that I could change if I wanted. We all thought that it was great that we had a teacher that really cared for us during the sixties. Little did we know that he cared for everyone in the way that he showed his love for us. I will never forget him.

I had not seen much of Bob in the last few decades,but his friendship,and the help he gave my family will always be an enduring memory. Duncan MacLean, Easton,Pa.

Bob was such a great guy, he worked with Al and all the kids @ Bowling for Kids on southside for quite a few years and I remember him when he chaired the Mayor's Taskforce, you will be truly missed my friend. Al & Rita Sparrow

Back in the 60's Bob Thompson served as a youth adviser to a bunch of young teenagers renovating Illick's Mill into a youth center. My sister and I, along with many of our friends, benefited from his wisdom and understanding. In his later years I was privileged, as a nurse, to help him with some of his medical challenges. He remained kind, thoughtful, and humorous throughout his life. A fine example of a life well lived. Our condolences

What a kind presence he was in our midst! Always interested in others; sweet, humble, good and so much more. We are thinking of you, Nadine, Emily, Jessica, Lisa, Carol, Patricia. Love, Hans and Ursula Wuerth

Om sorry to hear about Bob , Bob was great to me in my younger day's when he was with family counsling , I remember Bob well to this date , taking me out Bike riding back in the 70's when i was a teen , Bob was a great Person, he even made sure i had the bike to fit my hieght, and in the winter mnths a movie, or took me here or there,
Thanks Bob i hope you inspered more kids after my case

we,ve lost a great hero in the struggle for human rights.mr thompson as i knew him could have stayed in the backround but that wasn,t his way,he cared about us,as they say he talked the talk and walked the walk,jahovah has gained another angel as we have lost a saint,i'll always love you mr thompson and miss you,jahbless you

We were so very sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He helped me through a very hard time in my life in 1974. He was a true hero in my mind. Although he's gone, he will never be forgotton. Rest in Peace Bob & Thank You!!

Bob was a source of strength to those who worked beside him. The continuing struggle for human rights to all made him a brother to many. Mary and I were privileged to know him as friend. He will be remembered and honored in our hearts always . Hugh and Mary Flesher

Such a wonderful life.
A compassion for the poor among us; the energy to see a wrong and to try to make it right; a conviction that dialogue will create a common ground; and a deep love for his Bethlehem community.
We should all be so blessed

Bob, Bob... what a loss. Bob Thompson was one of the pillars of our community, one of those who made Bethlehem the caring, compassionate community we all dream it to be at its best. It's sad to lose him, especially this way; we are all saddened, I feel, more than we can say or even know.

Dear Nadine and family,
Bob undoubtedly earned his wings during this lifetime! His attempts to enlighten city streets, young minds and the whole of society will be remembered. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Sarajane and Ted Williams

My heart is broken for Nadine and the family. I have had the pleasure of serving Bob and Nadine at Sal's Brick Oven on the Southside. I was always so happy to see them come in and have a little chat with him. He was a lovely person. Always asked about my daughters. I never knew about all he accomplished in this community. He never bragged. I will miss him and send my deepest condolances to the family. Eileen from Sal's.

Bob wasa child hood friend from Prospect/ Hewas a friend and a great role model for everyone, My condollences to his family.

So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He had helped our family during some ups and downs of life, and the compassion and concern that he displayed meant very much to us. I feel blessed to have known Bob.
Linda Dull (Hellertown, PA)

Bob was an inspiration and mentor to countless people, and word of his tragic death is spreading through the community of caring that he created in the Lehigh Valley. Our grief is overwhelming. Nadine, please know how much we are missing you and how much we love you.