Robert L. Thompson, Jr.

Robert L. Thompson, Jr., of Minneapolis, MN, recently of Tucson, AZ, died on February 25, 2024, in Minneapolis, at the age of 79. He was born on August 9, 1944, in St. Paul, MN, to Robert and Dorothy (Bergstrom) Thompson. As the son of a career military officer, he relocated frequently and attended nine schools before graduating from Arundel High School in Gambrills, MD. Bob received his B.A. degree from Macalester College, then was commissioned as an Army officer through the Field Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, OK. Following three years of active military service, Bob earned law degrees at the University of Oregon (J.D.) and New York University (LL.M.).

In his career as a lawyer and international business executive Bob worked in St. Paul; Minneapolis; New York; Washington, D.C.; Mumbai, India; Boston; and Hamilton, Bermuda. He was employed by Novartis Corporation in New York for 17 years, the last 13 as executive vice president and general counsel. In the early 2000s he was vice chairman, president, and managing director of Novartis India Limited in Mumbai and led Novartis operations throughout India. Bob completed his career with the law firm of Lindquist & Vennum PLLP, in Minneapolis, retiring in 2012. Throughout his law career Bob specialized in corporation law, mergers and acquisitions, and antitrust law. He was licensed as a lawyer in New York and Minnesota.

Robert Thompson is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Carolyn “Candy” (Foss) Thompson, and daughters Chloe Thompson Villagomez (Juan) of Seattle, Kathryn Thompson of Portland, OR, and Jill Thompson of Minneapolis. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Richard.

Bob’s interests were wide. He loved music, especially jazz and orchestral music. Stricken with polio at age 9, he nevertheless became an athlete. He played three sports in high school and earned varsity letters from three different schools. He co-captained his college hockey team and was a marathon runner in his 30s and 40s. His passion was reading—mostly literary fiction and history—and he followed politics and current events intently.

Bob served on numerous professional boards and committees during his career, including the Board of Visitors of the University of Oregon School of Law. In retirement he counseled start-ups and small businesses as a SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) volunteer. He served on the board of directors of Tucson Committee on Foreign Relations, Inc. for nearly a decade, including four years as president of that organization. He also served his church in various capacities over the years. He could often be found browsing in bookstores, and consequently was perpetually short of shelf space at home. He loved words, read widely, and wrote enthusiastically.

Memorial service on Friday, March 8, 2024, at Roselawn Cemetery Chapel, 803 W. Larpenteur Ave., Roseville, MN.  Seating begins at 10:30 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial and Taps. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Brennan Center for Justice or MacPhail Center for Music.