THOMPSON, Robert (Bob)

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Posted: Sunday, February 2, 2014 >>> March 27, 1926 — Jan. 17, 2014 <<< Bob was born in Nebraska. During the Depression, parents George and Frances moved their family to Idaho and then Los Angeles. Bob attended Marshall High School and it was during this time he met the love of his life, a Glendale girl named Vera Booth, at a “Big Band” dance. Bob enlisted in the Navy in 1944, and on June 20 Bob and Vera were married. He served on a landing craft and remained friends with the surviving members of his crew for life. Their first child Tony was born in 1945 and Bob returned to civilian life in 1946 after being awarded a Victory Medal for World War II and two Bronze Stars for his service in the Asiatic-Pacific Area. He was hired by Brinks in 1949. Ted was born in 1954 and Tina in 1961. The family lived in Atwater and Glendale. Bob would spend his career with Brinks, moving from the trucks into management, retiring as vice president of the western region in 1979. After retirement, Bob and Vera moved to Lake Havasu where they spent 20 happy years before moving back to California last year. Bob loved the simple life, spending time with family and friends. He loved to barbecue, could fix anything, but most of all he loved being with Vera. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Lurye, Dick and Lorna, son Ted, niece Lurye, mother-in-law Leona and sister and brother-in-law Larrie and Ted Sheldon. He will be eternally missed by his loving wife of 69 years, Vera; Tony and wife Paula, grandchildren Eric, Paige, Ryan and great-grandchildren Kyndra and Jayda; Tina and husband Jeff and grandchildren Katelyn, Sydney, Elizabeth and Cody; nephew Bob Sheldon; niece Sandie Marin and family. Donations may be made to Assisted Hospice, 4450 Westinghouse Street, Suite 103, Ventura, CA 93003.