Robert F. Thompson, MD, 86, passed away Monday, February 15, 2010, at the Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, South Dakota. He was born February 12, 1924, in Saginaw, Michigan, to parents Katherine and Francis Thompson. Graduated high school, Saginaw, 1942, and University of Michigan Medical School, 1948. Interned at Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, New York. Board certified in internal medicine 1955. Received graduate education and completed residencies at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital and University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Internal Medicine, Rheumatic Disease, AME, Neurology, Physiology and Medicine. Member of International Society of Hematology and International Society of Oncology. Served in the US Army and as a medical officer in the USAF; Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of South Dakota; Coordinator of Medicine for National Defense; Clinical Associate and Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Nebraska-Omaha; Chairman of Board of Directors and Chief of Staff Yankton Clinic; Yankton Medical Clinic Internal Medicine staff; President and Secretary-Treasurer of Medical Staff of Sacred Heart Hospital; Consultant in Internal Medicine at Yankton State Hospital and St. Michael's Hospital, Tyndall; Editorial Board, South Dakota Journal of Medicine; Yankton City Health Officer; Governor and Fellow, American College of Physicians; Director, Sacred Heart Convent Community Health Program; Chairman, Cancer Committee, Sacred Heart Hospital. Computerized Medical Hematology/Oncology Section, Yankton Medical Clinic. Received 1989 South Dakota Chapter Laureate Award of American College of Physicians. After retiring, served as Medical Director Long Term Care, Avera Sacred Heart Sr. James Care Center and Medical Director of Hospice Care.

Enjoyed golfing, traveling and camping.

Preceded in death by mother Katherine, father Francis, brothers Bill and Don, daughter Colleen, and grandson Nicholas Vollbrecht. Survived by wife of 61 years, Mary Ellen, sister Joan and brother Richard, daughter Maureen Sachleben (Wayne) and children Lisa Marie and Jaclyn of Richmond, VA; son Robert (Lana) and children Kelsey, Jessica, Makayla and Erik of Omaha, NE; son Brian (Sharon) and children Jennifer Brownlee (Bob) with daughter Brennan and son David and Ashley Skirvin (Eric) with son Gabriel of Nashville, TN; son Gavin (Paul Kinsey) of Phoenix, AZ; daughter Maria (Herb Munsterman) and children Shelby and Jared of Chicago, IL; daughter Mara (Thomas Vollbrecht) and children Colleen and Cara of Minneapolis, MN; daughter Miriam (Claus Jeppesen) and son Jacob of Odense, Denmark.

Memorials requested in the deceased's name to: National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence, Vanderbilt Neurology Parkinson's Research Fund, A-0118 MCN, Nashville, TN, 37232-255, c/o Kelly Arney, MSSW and website: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/neurology/NPF.pdf; or Benedictine Health Foundation, 1000 West 4th St, Suite 14, Yankton, SD 57078.

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