Richard Austin Thompson

Richard Austin Thompson, known by family and friends as Rich, died in Fort Collins on April 11, 2024, at the age of 90. Survivors include his wife Jane Neth Thompson, sons Mark Richard and David Ross Thompson, David’s spouse Luis Tamayo, granddaughters Clara and Milena Suenskes Thompson, grandson Lucas, step-children Hal Neth (Natasha), Caite Switzer, Cara (Torger Hougen), Marcy, and Alex (Brandy) Neth, and step-grandchildren Claire, Charles, Blaze, Raina, Olive, Jack, Harry, and Beatrix. He was preceded in death by his late wife Margaret Louise Ormsby, his father Harold Eugene Hubbard, his mother Lurline Delia Hurlock, and his step-father Vernon B. Thompson. He felt particularly grateful for having been doubly blessed by marriages to two precious wives, showing how he experienced love, which multiplies, which does not divide. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Rich spent most of his early years in Amarillo, Texas. He subsequently graduated from Oberlin College and Yale Divinity School. Following his ordination to the ministry in the Presbyterian Church USA, he initially served parishes in Tulsa and Bristow, Oklahoma. Following that, he was Pastor of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and of Central Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas. He also served as Interim Minister in Congregational UCC Churches in Houston and Austin, Texas, because of that denomination's "Open and Affirming" commitment to including in its membership and leadership of all persons, of whatever sexual orientation, as the local Presbyterian Church U.S.A. is now enabled to do. In the midst of his pastorates, Rich pursued interests in communications and community service. He served as host of interfaith television series in Chicago and Austin. Over the years his publishing efforts included editing the Journal of the Academy of Parish Clergy. He wrote articles for the Christian Century and Illinois School Board Journal about the separation of church and state, based on his service as President of the Glenbard High School Board of Education Illinois. He authored two local Illinois histories: “Around the Arboretum” and “DuPage Roots.” His series "Preaching the Practice" appeared in The Clergy Journal. Following his retirement, he served as a Volunteer in Mission for Media Literacy for the Office of Communications PCUSA. "Bloom Where You Are Planted" was the phrase that Rich took as the title for writing a hymn in early years of ministry and a journal/notebook, representing for him the heart of spirituality. He brought that conviction to Fort Collins where he moved in 2006 with his wife, Jane, to be near family. Soon thereafter, he became active in the Fort Collins Area Interfaith Council, serving as its President and hosting the Interfaith Dialogue series on KRFC radio. He also provided leadership in the founding of Faith Family Hospitality (now called The Family Housing Network of Fort Collins – FHN), the weekly overnight welcoming of homeless families into the facilities of faith communities on a rotating basis. In 2015, he was recipient of “The Gold Glove Award,” presented by the Homelessness Prevention Initiative for “Catching families before they fall.” Rich also will be remembered for playing the piano, especially for his composing such light-hearted songs as "The Biblically Inclusive Rag." As he made his final transition, it was with gratitude for all the other signs of "Amazing Grace" shared by and with his beloved family and friends. The family wishes to thank friends and family for all their support, along with the staff of MacKenzie Place, Alliant Hospice, and Right at Home, particularly Lisa Bradford. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Collins at 5 p.m. on May 13. Memorial gifts may be made to the Family Housing Network of Fort Collins, 1601 S. Lemay Ave., Suite 103, Fort Collins, CO 80525; https://www.familyhousingnetwork.org/

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Richard Austin Thompson

August 28, 1933 - April 11, 2024