Richard Thompson Obituary

Thompson
RICHARD GEORGE BROWN THOMPSON
October 9, 1927 February 4, 2019
Richard George Brown Thompson, M.D., J.D., a pioneering cardiovascular surgeon, died in Colorado Springs on February 4th, 2019, at age 91.
Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Dr. Thompson attended Harvard University, graduating with the class of 1949. He attended medical school at the University of Chicago, earning his M.D. degree in 1954. After some time serving in Okinawa as a surgeon in the United States Army, he began to practice advanced cardiovascular surgery in Chicago and Pittsburgh, helping to create new surgical techniques. In 1962, he moved to Colorado Springs and established a permanent practice, performing thousands of surgeries over the next 25 years at both Penrose St. Francis and Memorial hospitals. Of note, he was the only surgeon on the Front Range qualified to perform certain life-saving neo-natal and infant heart surgeries in the early 1960's, and his advanced techniques gave new hope and made a new beginning for numerous young lives, with untold benefit to the community for generations to come.
In the late 1980's, Dr. Thompson wound down his medical practice and attended law school, earning his J.D. degree from the University of Denver in 1989. He went on to work for multiple insurance companies in Boise and Albuquerque before retiring permanently in Colorado Springs.
Dr. Thompson played tennis frequently throughout his life, was an accomplished pianist, and hustled more than a few games of pool with remarkable skill. A private pilot, he owned a Cessna Comanche, which he flew out of the Colorado Springs airport. Sometimes, he could be seen in glider aircraft, soaring aloft in the mountain skies Northwest of Colorado Springs.
Dr. Thompson is preceded in death by his parents, John and Irene Thompson, by his first wife Irene, by his daughter Deborah, and by his brother, the Reverend John Thompson, an Episcopal Bishop. He is survived by his daughter Landon and his sons Bruce and Eric. He is also survived by his loving wife and partner of 30 years, Dr. Lee Ann Hammond.
Dr. Thompson's family will attend a private funeral service and interment. A public remembrance celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12th, 5:00 PM, in the Garden Room at the Garden of the Gods Club, 3320 Mesa Road in Colorado Springs.
Services have been entrusted to Holt Funeral Home. Online condolences, www.holtfamilyfuneralhomes.com.