Richard (Dick) Conway Thompson was born August 30, 1922, the son of Carl and Borghild (Moe) Thompson. He grew up in rural Aneta and graduated from Aneta High School in 1940. He completed courses for aircraft and engine mechanics at Wahpeton School of Science in 1942. He enlisted in the Army Air Force becoming crew chief and flight engineer at the United States Air Force Pilot training center at Hondo Air Field, Hondo, Texas. He was honorably discharged as staff sergeant February 1946.

Richard married Anez Marie Locken, July 8 th 1945 and together began 63 years of farming and raising their family in rural Sharon, ND. They moved to Aneta, ND in 1993 and his son moved to the farm. His hobbies included farm machinery and small engine repair and was given the title of “Dr. Putts” by his neighbors. He operated a snowmobile and mini-bike dealership in Aneta for several years called Highway Sales. Richard served on Sheyenne Valley Rural Electric Cooperative and state wide board for 12 years; Sharon township board; North Dakota Turkey Federation; and Trinity Lutheran Church, Sharon, ND and Sundahl Lutheran church councils; and Aneta Homes, Inc. board. Richard was a member of Sundahl Lutheran Church and Thor Vatsvik American Legion Post #169, Sharon, ND. Richard died Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at Altru Hospital Palliative Care Unit with his son at his side.

Surviving members of his family are his wife, Anez, Aneta, ND; son, Rick (Joan) Thompson, Sharon, ND; two daughters Joan (Don) Huso, Aneta, ND and Ruth (Jeff) Gallagher, Montevideo, MN; two sisters, Audrey Liudahl, Bismarck, ND and Margot (Harold) Jelleberg, Perham, MN; and sister in-law Dorothy Thompson of Sharon, ND; seven grandsons and two great grandchildren: Christopher Thompson, Steven Thompson, and Gregory Thompson; Mark (Samantha) Huso and their children, Nevaeh and Taven; Scott (Elizabeth) Huso, John Gallagher, James Gallagher; and cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Carl Thompson, Jr.

Memorial services for Richard will be held on Friday, June 3, 2011 at 2:00 PM in the Sundahl Lutheran Church of Aneta. Visitation will be one hour prior to services in the church. Interment will be in the Silent Hill Cemetery, rural Aneta. Military honors by the Thor Vatsvik American Legion post #169, Sharon, ND.