The campus community mourns the passing of Thomas A. “Tommy” Thompson ‘60, 78, who died on Sunday, June 25. Tommy spent 37 years at Bucknell University as an assistant coach or head coach for Men’s Basketball, Baseball and Golf until his retirement in 2001.
Tommy was a son of the late Lloyd and Edith (Johnson) Thompson. On August 3, 1979, he married the former Robynn Jackson, the love of his life, who survives.
Tommy was a 1956 graduate of Kane Area High School. Following graduation, Tommy went on to pitch professionally for the Detroit Tigers organization for three seasons until retiring to coach at Bucknell in 1964.
He enjoyed golfing, attending Bucknell University athletic events, watching Steelers Football, and most importantly, spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife Robynn of 38 years, Tommy is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Aaron Bolig, of Shamokin Dam; one son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Jamie Thompson, of Fairport, NY; three grandsons, Gavin and Brennan Bolig, and Jackson Thompson; one granddaughter, Taylor Bolig; one brother and sister-in-law, James and Joanne Thompson, of Emporium; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one brother, Norman Thompson; and two sisters, Peggy Pearson and Shirley Grosch.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28, at Rooke Chapel, Bucknell University, with his pastor, the Rev. William S. Henderson, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Tommy’s memory may be made to either the Bucknell University Basketball Program, Baseball Program or Golf Program, in care of the Bison Club, One Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837, or Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 S. Third St., Lewisburg, PA 17837.
The family is being assisted by the Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, South Second and St. Louis Streets, Lewisburg.
Members of the Bucknell Community are encouraged to visit our In Memoriam Site at bucknell.edu/InMemoriam and share personal notes of sympathy and remembrance with others.
On behalf of the entire Bucknell community, I extend our deepest sympathies to Tommy’s family, as well as to all who knew him at Bucknell.
John C. Bravman
President
Tom was a great friend to many, and especially to me. My fondest memories centered around our common noon racquetball games with our usual group of players. This was followed by lunch at the Bison with several of our cohorts from the courts. Virtually daily fun over close to twenty years.
My wife held special parties to celebrate my 50th, 60th, and 70th birthdays. Tom and Robynn were invited to all three and, to my delight, both attended all three.
It was an honor and privilege to know Tom over these many years.
Dick Ellis
I was also a part of those noon time racquetball contests, like Dick mentioned above. Tommy was a great partner or adversary taking huge delight in his signature ‘z’ lob, almost impossible to retrieve, and always accompanied by his announcement- “That ought to do it”. My favorite “Tommyism”came after those particularly hard fought games. We losers would exit the court and Tom would say, “You have nothing to be ashamed of men”, conveyed in a particularly cheeky manner that belied the words. What fun we had! I’ll miss him.
Tommy Thompson was among the first people who I met at Bucknell in the Fall 1980, a guy who made me feel that I surely made the right decision in joining the Bucknell community. We became good friends over the years, shared stories from our experiences growing up in similar Pennsylvania hometowns, and frequently exchanged post game analyses of Bison wins and losses. Tommy was always smiling and it was an infectious smile for everyone who had the good fortune of knowing him. I always admired his passion for what he was so good at – coaching, educating and mentoring Bucknell student-athletes, clearly his Bucknell legacy for generations to come. “Coach T” will be missed and never forgotten. Rest in peace Tommy.