Retired Grand Forks County Sgt. Bob Thompson remembered as a 'mentor to a lot of people'

Sav Kelly, Grand Forks Herald
·2 min read

Oct. 21—GRAND FORKS — Bob Thompson "clearly made an impact" on the Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office, according to Capt. Joel Lloyd.

Bob C. Thompson, 63, died on Friday, Oct. 14, at his home in Ottertail, Minnesota.

Thompson was born in Grand Forks and spent much of his life in the area. He began his career with the Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office in 1980, remaining there until his retirement in 2017. During his time with the office, Thompson was "recognized with multiple awards," according to an obituary that was published this week in the Herald.

"He was clearly a mentor to a lot of people," said Lloyd, who worked under Thompson for approximately a year and a half.

Lloyd said Thompson was "a fun guy to be around," "a good worker" and "knowledgeable."

There are numerous people in supervisory positions at the sheriff's office, "including myself," said Lloyd. "Part of the reason that we are in supervisory positions now is because of the knowledge that he passed on."

And that knowledge and experience, Lloyd said, will continue to be passed down to future deputies in the agency.

Thompson was a sergeant and night shift supervisor at the sheriff's office. According to Thompson's obituary, he took pride in working the night shift up until his retirement.

"He loved that shift," Lloyd said.

Prior to Thompson's law enforcement career, he delivered papers for the Grand Forks Herald in high school and worked at Senger's Piggly Wiggly.

The son of Melvin and Fern, Thompson is survived by his wife, Debora, his sons, Bradley and Ryan, four grandchildren and other relatives.

He and Debra were married in 1980. They raised their family in Grand Forks, and later relocated to their "dream home" on Rush Lake, near Ottertail, Minnesota, in 2019.

Thompson's service took place on Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks, followed by a celebration of life with the family. The celebration of life took place at the American Legion in East Grand Forks.