Richard N.D. Thompson

08/22/1938 - 10/04/2025

Richard N.D. Thompson, 87, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2025. A native Washingtonian, Richard was a proud graduate of Spingarn High School. After a stint serving in the United States Air Force, Richard attended the University of the District of Columbia and American University. Though Richard left college to start and raise his family, he had a lifelong love of learning. He was a voracious reader who enjoyed everything from newspapers and magazines to thrillers and mysteries, typically carrying a book or newspaper wherever he went. With his insatiable curiosity and strong recall, Richard often joked that he knew "a little bit about a lot of things."
A career government employee, Richard worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for more than 30 years. After retiring from the CIA, Richard worked for FEMA, traveling around the country to help people who had been impacted by natural disasters.
Richard was a devoted baseball fan who first fell in love with the sport when his grandmother took him to see the Homestead Grays play in the Negro League. He later became a fan of the Washington Senators and then the Washington Nationals, eagerly awaiting baseball season each year so he could cheer on his team. Richard also was a music lover with particular affection for Nancy Wilson, Frank Sinatra and other jazz singers. In his spare time, he also enjoyed watching classic movies of which he had an enviable encyclopedic knowledge, taking photographs and playing golf.
More than anything, Richard enjoyed connecting with those he loved. He spoke regularly to his cousins Joe Fenrick and Marlene Crowell, who he considered his brother and sister respectively; called other relatives and friends simply to say hello; and sent birthday cards as well as gifts just to let someone know he was thinking of them. Richard had a special place in his heart and his life for his daughters Melissa and Allison. The ultimate girl dad, he coached Allison's elementary school basketball team; shuttled both girls to school, play dates and activities; and showered them with love. He never missed an opportunity to tell his "two co-favorite daughters" or anyone else who would listen how proud he was of them.
In addition to his daughters Melissa Thompson of Dallas, Texas, and Allison Thompson of Oakland, California; Richard is survived by his cousin Marlene Crowell of Brandywine, Maryland; his brother Clarence Connelly of Washington, DC; and a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Mary Connelly, father George Bruce, grandmother Mercedes Tross, and cousin Joe Fenrick. A celebration of Life will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association.