Robert “Bob” Newcome Thompson, Jr.

Robert “Bob” Newcome Thompson, Jr., age 79, passed away peacefully on the evening of May 16, 2026, at his home in Lebanon, surrounded by the people who lovingly perfected the art of making him “Bob sigh” on most days.

Bob was born on November 12, 1946, in Chicago to Robert N. Thompson, Sr. and Bette (Brendel) Thompson. He married the love of his life, Shirley Stagen, on June 19, 1966, in Paxton. Together they built a life full of hard work, family, faith, laughter, projects, and more than a few creative repairs.

Throughout his life, Bob was known for his strong work ethic, kindness, ingenuity, signature sighs, and doing things in Bob’s time — and only in Bob’s way. He measured life the same way he fixed things: with know-how, determination, duct tape, and just enough creativity to leave everyone wondering whether it was genius or insanity. Most of the time, it was both.

Bob wore many hats throughout his career. He worked at Seedburo in Chicago; Stevens Printing, MJ Maines and Cook Transport, Brown Miller Funeral Home and Furniture, Bob Thompson Electric, and the Paxton Volunteer Fire Department in Paxton, Illinois. After moving to Indiana with Shirley in 1982, he worked HVAC at Schilling Chilling in Indianapolis, spent more than 18 years as a three-state Territory Maintenance Supervisor for 120 Pizza Hut corporate stores, and finished his career as a Project Superintendent for T & W Corporation in Indianapolis. There, he built lasting relationships, took pride in his work, and helped complete several church projects, including d First Church of the Nazarene in Frankfort.

Bob was someone who showed up and supported the cause. He worked hard and played harder, often spending vacations helping others. His highlight reel included serving with Habitat for Humanity of Boone County in the late 1980s and early 1990s; traveling with a church group to Quito, Ecuador, to help build a church; serving in Cabrini-Green in Chicago, rewiring and renovating another church; surviving a memorable 1:00 a.m. trip through Chinatown with volunteers; and joining relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina alongside the Lebanon High School Football Team and Hilltop Mission Church group.

History may have been his worst subject in school, but later in life he developed a deep appreciation for it through researching courthouse records, wandering cemeteries in more than 150 locations, repairing old headstones on weekend trips, and tracing family roots. He proudly served as former president of the National Thompson Family Reunion held in Vandalia, Illinois, where he became affectionately known as simply “Indiana Bob.”

His work ethic lives on through each of his daughters. Bob will be remembered for his short temper, legendary dad jokes, quirky sense of humor, neighborly spirit, endless garage tinkering, and the biscuits and sausage gravy that fueled many Lebanon High School sports teams. Bob’s B&Gs truly were the best.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years and 11 months, Shirley Thompson; daughters Shelly (Paul) Amich, Sherry (Kevin) Poland, and Sara (Jason) Crew; nine grandsons, Sam Thompson, Ben Bennington, Kaleb Bennington, Keith Poland, Trevor (Carrie) Boyne, Kent (Maggie) Poland, Hunter Crew, Mason Crew, and Levi Poland; six great-grandchildren, Ella Bennington, Olivia Bennington, Emersyn Melvin, Blaikley Poland, Lincoln Thompson, and Paxton Thompson; brothers Mark (Jackie) Thompson of Navarre, Florida, and Rick Thompson of Paxton, Illinois; along with several beloved in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two infant brothers.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the many doctors, nurses, and caregivers who cared for Bob over the years. They find comfort knowing that meeting Jesus was on Bob’s Saturday agenda — tool belt in hand — ready to get to work reconnecting with those who had gone before him.

Memorial donations may be made to Rock Steady Boxing at Witham Health Services, c/o Trina Rose, 2605 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon, IN 46052, or Habitat for Humanity of Boone County, P.O. Box 5015, Zionsville, IN 46077.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 12:00PM to 4:00PM, with the funeral service beginning at 4:00PM. Interment will follow the funeral service at Oak Hill Cemetery. Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary in Lebanon, Indiana, will honor and celebrate Bob’s life during this time.