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Robert Thompson Obituary
February 11, 1943 - July 29, 2017
Robert A. Thompson, 74, of Berkeley, CA, died on July 29. Bob was born February 11, 1943, in Chicago, IL, to the late Dr. Kenneth R.M. and Helen Hevron Thompson. He graduated from Morgan Park High School, received his BA from Stanford University in 1965, was a Fulbright Scholar in Vienna, Austria 1965-66, and received his JD from Harvard Law School in 1969. Bob joined the San Francisco law firm of Pettit & Martin, where he specialized in commercial real estate law. After Pettit & Martin closed in 1995, Bob joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, where he continued to practice real estate law as a partner until his death.Along with many other projects, Bob worked on the development of UC San Francisco's Mission Bay campus in San Francisco, the redevelopment of San Francisco's Pier One and Ferry Building, the redevelopment of Hunters Point Shipyard, Treasure Island Naval Station, and Presidio National Park. He served as a Governor of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), Chair of both the American Bar Association and ACREL legal opinion committees, and Chair of the San Francisco Urban Land Institute District Council.
Bob had a longstanding commitment to pro bono work. He served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, and also on the boards of One Justice, the San Francisco Legal Aid Society/Employment Law Center, and the Youth Law Center.
He loved his work, discussing politics and philosophy, and his second home and close friends in Big Sur, CA.
He will be missed by many, including his partner, Sharon O'Grady; his brothers Kenneth Thompson of Chicago, IL; Bruce Thompson of Pine Mountain, GA; and John Thompson of North Chelmsford, MA; and their families.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob's name to San Francisco Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, 131 Steuart Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94105; Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade, P.O. Box 520, Big Sur, CA 93920; or Big Sur Health Center, 46896 Hwy. 1, Big Sur, CA 93920.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Thompson
5 Entries
Catherine Schmitz
April 26, 2019
Sharon - recently found out that Bob passed away and I hope you are doing okay and I will pray for you. Love, Catherine
March 22, 2018
Just catching up on this sad news. Bob was a best friend from high school, sorry to learn that he is gone.
Jim Blaschke
February 26, 2018
So very sorry to hear of Bob's death. Just found out about it today because I was searching for a phone number to call him.
We were roommates at Stanford in 1964-65, his senior year. He was absolutely the brightest person whom I have ever met and his intellect, diligence and heart had a most profoundly positive impact on my life.
We spent countless leisure hours throwing and catching footballs outside Fremont House when we needed a break from studies. He often joked about his bad sports luck to have played AGAINST Dick Butkus when he was in high school in Chicago. Such a wonderful person! He is and will be missed.
Howard Wong
November 27, 2017
My sincere condolences. Bob Thompson was a team-building leader who had those intangible qualities of coalescing diverse ideas and people. It was a pleasure to be on SF Architectural Heritage 's Issues Committee led by Bob---reviewing historic preservation projects. Bob took great delight in improving designs. I'm sure he had the same perspectives about law and life.
Howard Wong, AIA
Karen and Rick McMichael
August 7, 2017
Bob's great sense of humor and consistent kindness was a big part of him. In the days of his beginning work at Pettit and Martin, we knew Bob as we all began careers in Law.
As families came along for some of us, Bob's love of Germany and travel brought special gifts for little kids.
He was a gentleman and brilliant guy and will be deeply missed. Comfort to those who loved him and are left behind.
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