Bruce F. Thompson

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Thompson, Bruce F. Age 86 of Deephaven, MN. Passed away 9-13-2014 in Wayzata, MN. Preceded in death by parents Fred and Alice (Olson) Thompson, brothers Bing and Scott Thompson. Bruce grew up in St. Paul, MN and attended Murray High School. Attended the Univ. of Minnesota at age 17 and graduated from the U of MN Law School in 1951. Practiced law for 43 years in Minneapolis. Bruce began and helped grow what became Thompson Klaverkamp, into a successful and well respected firm eventually merging to become the Minneapolis office of Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly. Retired in 1994. Bruce was an Eagle Scout, and a dedicated volunteer/officer for the Phi Delta Theta fraternity that he joined during Law School, where he made life-long friends and eventually served as General Council President of the national fraternity from 1980 - 1982. Bruce was a passionate waterfowl sportsman throughout the Midwest, Canada and Mexico, a fly fisherman in Montana and Wisconsin and a true friend to all that he met and was a connoisseur of the finest Bering Coronados. Married Patricia Clough on September 15, 1951, moved to Cottagewood on Lake Minnetonka in 1958 where they jointly built a life for their 5 kids that is hard to describe or duplicate. It included family time, hunting, skiing, hockey, sailing, swimming, golf, scouts, having a new home built on the lake and a cabin designed and built in the Wisconsin north woods, working hard and learning life lessons through it all. "Pop" was a fair, kind and gentle person, either at work or at home; a true role model for his children and grandchildren. He made a life of respecting and helping others, whether through pro bono legal work, teaching moments with his kids or taking on the role of advisor and mentor to those who regularly sought him out, both in his professional and personal life. Survived by wonderful wife of 63 years Patty Thompson; daughter, Victoria (Henry) Miles; sons, Todd (Nancy), Tim (Debbie), Christopher (Rebecca), Peter (Barbara), 13 awesome grandchildren (Jessica Miles, Adam Miles, Amii (Chris) Pratt, Mathew (Jamie Oday), Nicholas, Tracy, Danielle, Patrick (Katie) Lashley, Ryan, Colin, Rachel, Christy and Katie) and 7 amazing great-grandchildren (Landon, Carson, Dejia, Kadence, Kian, Emma and Sara), Sister Bea (Dick) Levey, sister-in-law Joan (David) Butler, nieces, nephews and close family friends. Memorial service at Wayzata Community Church, Saturday September 27, 2014. Visitation 10:00 AM, Memorial Service 11:00 AM followed by reception at the Church. Memorials may be directed to: Wayzata Community Church Foundation - 125 E. Wayzata Blvd Wayzata, MN 55391 or Phi Delta Theta Foundation Attention Mr. Robert Biggs 2 S. Campus Avenue Oxford, Ohio 45056

Published on September 21, 2014