Robert Thompson Led Tacoma's UPS Through 31 Years Of Growth

When he retired in 1973 as president of the University of Puget Sound, Robert Franklin Thompson was reportedly the nation's longest-serving university president.

Noted in many "Who's Who" publications and the recipient of six honorary degrees, Dr. Thompson led the Tacoma school through 31 years of significant growth.

When he took over in 1942, the school had four buildings, 400 students and an endowment of $700,000.

When he retired, it had 37 buildings, 5,000 part- and full-time students and an endowment of $7 million.

He came to UPS when it was called a "streetcar college," one that attracted local students who lived at home and commuted to school. "He had a `field of dreams' vision: build a campus and they will come," said UPS President Susan Resneck Pierce. "He did build the campus, and in the intervening years, many . . . students have benefited greatly from a Puget Sound education."

Dr. Thompson died Jan. 14. He was 90.

Born in Primrose, Neb., he was valedictorian of his high-school class.

He earned a bachelor of divinity degree, and a master's degree and a doctorate, at Drew University in Madison, N.J. He served as a minister on Long Island, N.Y., and studied theology at England's Oxford University and Switzerland's University of Zurich.

In 1937, he began teaching social sciences at Willamette University in Salem, Ore., and served as dean of freshmen. In 1941, he became Willamette's academic vice president.

After he came to UPS, he built enrollment by tapping into the higher-education boom spurred by the G.I. Bill after World War II. A gifted speaker, he increased funding. He is credited with helping expand the curriculum, draw international students and add buildings such as the Memorial Fieldhouse, Kilworth Chapel and Collins Memorial Library.

Thompson Hall science complex was named in his honor.

"(He) always enjoyed students who were creative and went above life by taking risks," said retired religion professor Robert Albertson.

Dr. Thompson and his wife, Lucille, affectionately known as "Dr. and Mrs. T," took interest in every aspect of UPS life. At night, they "tucked in the campus," as they said, by driving around to check things and turn off lights in empty buildings. They also held student gatherings with stories and cocoa in their family room.

After 1973, Dr. Thompson served as a UPS chancellor. He also was president of Tacoma Rotary Club and World Affairs Council.

His church service included 30 years on the executive committee of the (Methodist) Council on World Service and Finance, and membership on the executive committee of the World Methodist Community.

Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Lucille Thompson of Lakewood; daughters Mary Turnbull, Tacoma, and Martha Dragelevich, Youngstown, Ohio; and four grandchildren.

Services were scheduled for 2 p.m. today in UPS' Kilworth Chapel.

Carole Beers' phone message number is 206-464-2391. Her e-mail address is: cbeers@seattletimes.com