The Life of GERALD EVERETT THOMPSON
Gerald E. Thompson, 92, died Friday, March 4, 2016 at Fountain West Health Care Center in West Des Moines. Private family services were held at Highland Memory Gardens.
Gerald was born February 22, 1924 in Leland, Iowa to Gilbert T. and Clara (Charlson) Thompson. He graduated from Leland High School in 1941 and from Waldorf College, Forest City, in 1943. He subsequently enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces on his 19th birthday, whereupon he entered pre-flight training. He ultimately served in combat during World War II as the pilot in command of a B-17 aircraft attached to the US Eighth Air Force, 91st Bombardment Group, stationed at RAF Bassingbourn, UK; he ultimately attained the rank of First Lieutenant by war''s end.
Following his military service, Gerald enrolled at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, ultimately receiving bachelor''s, master''s, and doctoral degrees, his highest degree being the PhD in Economics awarded in 1953. In 1947, he appeared on the cover of Life Magazine as a part of a feature article on returning US veterans studying on college campuses. On August 26, 1950, Gerald married Betty Phyllis Collman in Des Moines. Gerald and Betty met while both were students at the University of Iowa; during the time prior to their marriage, Gerald enjoyed frequent trips to Des Moines to spend time with Betty and her parents.
Gerald began his career as an assistant professor at the University of Toledo in 1950. In 1954 he joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he served for 42 years, retiring as Professor of Economics in 1996. During his career he authored four textbooks in statistics and quantitative methods. He also held appointments as a Ford Foundation Fellow and as a Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Following retirement, Gerald and Betty relocated to West Des Moines where they have lived since 1999. Their memberships include First United Methodist Church of Des Moines.
Survivors include his wife, Betty; son, David F. Thompson of Alexandria, KY; brothers: Herbert C. Thompson of Moline, IL, and David E. Thompson of Irvine, CA; sisters: Marcia T. Turcotte of Lake Hubert, MN, and Gretchen T. Hegg of Hudson. Gerald was preceded in death by his sisters: Alice T. Tett of McCallsburg, Winnifred Thompson of Santa Ana, CA, Catherine T. Jorgensen of Eagle Grove, and Margaret T. Schwidder of Steilacoom, WA.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or the University of Iowa Foundation.
Gerald was born February 22, 1924 in Leland, Iowa to Gilbert T. and Clara (Charlson) Thompson. He graduated from Leland High School in 1941 and from Waldorf College, Forest City, in 1943. He subsequently enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces on his 19th birthday, whereupon he entered pre-flight training. He ultimately served in combat during World War II as the pilot in command of a B-17 aircraft attached to the US Eighth Air Force, 91st Bombardment Group, stationed at RAF Bassingbourn, UK; he ultimately attained the rank of First Lieutenant by war''s end.
Following his military service, Gerald enrolled at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, ultimately receiving bachelor''s, master''s, and doctoral degrees, his highest degree being the PhD in Economics awarded in 1953. In 1947, he appeared on the cover of Life Magazine as a part of a feature article on returning US veterans studying on college campuses. On August 26, 1950, Gerald married Betty Phyllis Collman in Des Moines. Gerald and Betty met while both were students at the University of Iowa; during the time prior to their marriage, Gerald enjoyed frequent trips to Des Moines to spend time with Betty and her parents.
Gerald began his career as an assistant professor at the University of Toledo in 1950. In 1954 he joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he served for 42 years, retiring as Professor of Economics in 1996. During his career he authored four textbooks in statistics and quantitative methods. He also held appointments as a Ford Foundation Fellow and as a Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Following retirement, Gerald and Betty relocated to West Des Moines where they have lived since 1999. Their memberships include First United Methodist Church of Des Moines.
Survivors include his wife, Betty; son, David F. Thompson of Alexandria, KY; brothers: Herbert C. Thompson of Moline, IL, and David E. Thompson of Irvine, CA; sisters: Marcia T. Turcotte of Lake Hubert, MN, and Gretchen T. Hegg of Hudson. Gerald was preceded in death by his sisters: Alice T. Tett of McCallsburg, Winnifred Thompson of Santa Ana, CA, Catherine T. Jorgensen of Eagle Grove, and Margaret T. Schwidder of Steilacoom, WA.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or the University of Iowa Foundation.
Filter GERALD EVERETT THOMPSON's Timeline by the following Memory Categories
Military Service
War:
World War II
Branch:
Army Air Corps
Rank:
Unknown