Charles Stanley "Chip" Thompson

CHIP THOMPSON Charles "Chip" Stanley Thompson died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, of natural causes at a Red Bluff hospital. He was born July 14, 1965, in Pittsburgh, Penn., to William Duncan Thompson and Mary Stephens Jones. The family moved to Terra Linda, near San Rafael, Calif., in 1970. Living near Marin provided for an active childhood, including trips to the beach and snow. He was involved in scouting and enjoyed many camping and hunting trips. In sports, even in Little League, Chip was fearless and coordinated. When he played 3-on-3 sandlot football with friends, every play was a "long bomb." In high school, he joined the Terra Linda golf team, and enjoyed the game for the remainder of his life. In hobbies, he would pursue them to interesting lengths. He did not merely take photographs, he taught himself to develop and print the images in his closet. His grandparents lived near San Diego, and he and his brother Scott looked forward to visits. "What's the first thing you're going to do when we get to La Jolla?" they would whisper in their bunk beds before visiting the relatives. They played games such as dominoes with their grandfather, who would accuse young Chip of cheating. His youthful goofiness blossomed to sarcasm by his teens. He loved playing with words for effect and shared inside jokes with family and friends. During a walk in the woods with his brother, he tripped over a tree root and quipped "Welcome to Thompson Falls." At one point he was considering a transfer to Long Beach State University. When asked why he said, "Why wouldn't I want to go to a school with 'beach' as its middle name." As a brother, he was always approachable for a talk. The two boys, and later as men, found being together easy. They often shared activities such as biking, fishing or canoeing. The brothers loved talking about their parents' foibles, quirks and personalities including how they could recognize those traits in themselves as they grew older. Even when the brothers poked fun at one another there was a shared perspective on their journeys as fathers, husbands and people. As he grew into his teens, he was free-spirited and undaunted, diving into many new experiences. He was on the sailing team at Sonoma State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in English in 1989. He worked on the newspaper at his college, was the director and general manager of the campus radio station, and worked as assistant director of the Sonoma Film Institute. In his youth, he played bass in a southern rock band called "Jack Black." He was known for enjoying a good bargain, and some may say for being cheap. His mother said he kept "nine-tenths of the first dime he ever made." More than a few items in his home were treasures found at yard sales. During his more than 30 years living near San Rafael, he lived for a time on a Chris Craft boat in the San Rafael Yacht Harbor, fixing the boat for the owner in exchange for free rent. For about two years in the mid-1990s, Chip traveled extensively in his work for a large South Korean corporation, including the role of go-to-guy for logistics, developments and other tasks. He also worked for a year for a London-based company. Later he traveled extensively. His next phase of life took him back to his scouting roots: he worked as district executive and coordinated volunteers for his childhood council of the Boy Scouts of America. Chip was a devoted, kind father who gave unconditional love and sage wisdom to his kids. With his son Ryan, he bonded over novelty music, the outdoors, as well as a passion for corny jokes and comedy. He bravely taught Ryan how to drive a stick shift on the back roads of Marin County. "It seemed like the worst place in the world to send a new driver, but in hindsight, it allowed for a lot of technique without the anxiety of having other drivers around," Ryan recalled. They also caught many A's and Giants games. Ryan would make fun of Chip's penny-pinching $2 A's tickets in the nose-bleed section, and Chip would make fun of Ryan's overpriced Giants tickets where they could not see much of the game. Ryan and Chip would remain best friends, spending their time plinking cans with an old BB gun, going to baseball games, riding bikes and motorcycles, watching old episodes of "The Simpsons," attempting to fly RC planes, going on vacations, renovating each other's houses, and most of all, just spending quality time together. In the early 2000s Chip returned to newspapers, and worked for the South Idaho Press and Times in Idaho, before moving to Red Bluff where he was the editor of the paper at the time of his death. His family knew him to be good at most things he attempted, and the activities he enjoyed were many: cooking, fishing, hunting, cycling, scuba, skiing, kayaking, riding his motorcycle and bike, acting, teaching, radio DJ, guitar, bass, drums, golf, sailing, archery, surfing, beer-brewing, darts. He rooted for the Pittsburgh sports teams, liked seeing live music and regularly called his mother. His place of Zen was on his bike. He was a dedicated cyclist and took part in several group rides. From his house on a hill in Red Bluff, he would vary his rides based on his whim. He also scouted out new places to ride when visiting friends and family. In 2005, for his 40th birthday, he rode the Tour de France. The professionals weren't there, of course, but he followed the route. Chip was a good friend to many and made a point of staying in touch. He was often invited on hunting and fishing trips with a close group of men: Alan Foley, Tony Carbonell, Billy Groom and Tyler Smail. His best friend was Kelli Forward, of Idaho, who "just happens to be a girl." He also golfed almost weekly with John Gentry of Red Bluff. He was a member of the St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where he was often a reader on Sundays and most recently he barbecued the bratwurst for Oktoberfest. He was a dedicated member of the Red Bluff Kiwanis, and enjoyed the group for the friendships he had made. He also believed strongly in the community work done by the group, especially for youth. He consistently donated platelets to the local blood bank. More recently, Chip was enjoying his new role as "Grandpa T" to his toddler grandson, "Bugs," spoiling him every opportunity he was able. Survivors include sons Ryan Long and wife Julie Foley Long of Pacifica and Christopher Long and Malyssa of San Anselmo; a brother Edward Scott Thompson and wife Kathy of St. Louis, Mo.; and many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his dog Scooby. A celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Red Bluff Elks Lodge, 355 Gilmore Road. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Chip Thompson Scholarship Fund, in care of the Red Buff Kiwanis, P.O. Box 501, Red Bluff, CA 96080; or St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 510 Jefferson Street, Red Bluff, CA 96080.