Robert Thompson

Robert Wells Thompson was born October 9, 1916 in a farm house located north of Altoona to Erma (Wells) and Dean Thompson and passed away Thursday, March 11, 2010 at Mitchell Village Care Center in Mitchellville.

Bob was raised in the Altoona and Colfax area and graduated from Altoona High School in 1934. Bob started his newspaper career at the Altoona Herald and then was employed at the Newton Daily News where he met his future wife Ruby Kincebach. Bob and Ruby were married on November 29, 1940. They later returned to Altoona when Bob was employed at the Des Moines Register and Tribune for 35 years before retiring from there. Bob enjoyed his newspaper background and was an avid collector of print shop memorabilia and established a complete turn of the century print shop in his basement. Bob was also known as the official historian for the Altoona area and enjoyed sharing his historical knowledge and memories. Bob was a member of the Altoona Christian Church, the Iowa Typographical Union and King David Lodge of Altoona. Bob enjoyed genealogy, traveling, and spent many of his retirement winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.

Bob is survived by his wife of 69 years, Ruby; his sons, Wesley (Alice) of Adel and Ron of St. Petersburg, Florida; daughter, Janet (Scott) Glass of Altoona; four grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; four step great-grandchildren; sister, June Tompkins of Minnesota and nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters, Esther, Hazel, Rachel and Frances.

Visitation will be at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW., from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2010. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010 at the Altoona Christian Church, 2890 1st Ave. S., with burial to follow at the Altoona Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Memorial Fund at Altoona Christian Church in loving memory of Bob.

Online condolences to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Print