Robert W. Thompson M.D.

Robert W THOMPSON, MD Robert W Thompson, MD a very special and much loved family man, friend and well respected Psychiatrist, died June 23 after a very short illness. Bob was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin to Annette and Robert Thompson, June 7, 1929 and was very proud of his Scottish heritage. After graduating with honors from Oshkosh High School in 1947, he attended Stanford University where he earned three degrees; BS in Mechanical Engineering 1951, MS in Aeronautical Engineering 1953 and Engineer in Aeronautical Engineering 1954. After a short time working at Lockheed Aircraft, he decided to attend medical school at the University of Wisconsin. Bob interned at Alameda County Hospital in Oakland, CA, and then completed his residency in Psychiatry at the University of Washington Hospital where he met his future wife KayJeanne (Platt) Thompson. Robert was a very dedicated physician who began his private psychiatric practice in Bellevue, WA and joined the staff at Overlake Hospital in 1963. He continued seeing patients full time until his death. He truly loved caring for patients both in private practice and for many years at Eastside/Seattle Mental Health.A quiet man, yet a strong leader, he was an early advocate for the creation of a psychiatric unit at Overlake Hospital and was a former Chief of the Psychiatric Section. As an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Washington hospital for several years he mentored a number of psychiatric residents. He was also an advocate for youth and began volunteering at Youth Eastside Services (YES) shortly after in began as a teen drop in center in a small house off Bellevue Way. In his 39 years on the YES board of directors, including as past chairman of the board, he watched the agency blossom from that teen drop in center to one currently serving 22,000 children and families on the greater eastside. Robert was an avid outdoorsman. He loved playing tennis, skiing, fishing, bird hunting, backpacking and attending his children's and grandchildren's activities. He enjoyed many family weekends and vacations over the past 47 years at the family's home in Chelan, where he had many good fishing and hunting friends. As a young man, Robert attended Camp Manito-wish where he went on and led many canoe trips in Northern Wisconsin and into Canada. He also enjoyed watching his English Pointers compete in field trial competitions, especially the National Chucker Championship. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Andrew Thompson of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife Kay, son Eric Thompson, North Bend, daughter Anna Smith, grandchildren, Carynia Smith and Cameron Smith, Seattle, Sister Susan Lee and brother Craig Thompson, Santa Rosa, CA, sister-in-law Nancy Thompson, Oshkosh, WI, and Son-in-Law Bretton Smith, Seattle, several nieces and nephews and many long time friends who will miss him more than words can express. A celebration of Robert's life will be held Sept. 19, 2009 at 1:30 pm at St Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina, WA. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Youth Eastside Services, Ducks Unlimited or Trout Unlimited.