Robert Thompson, MD, primary care physician at Valley Medical Center, fondly known as “Dr. Bob,” passed away on Feb. 11, 2021.
Thompson joined Valley Medical Center in 1984 as a family physician in private practice and became Valley’s first employed provider in 1994. He planned to retire from clinical practice in March 2021 after 36 years of serving the community.
A community-centered career
Born and raised in Burien, Washington, Thompson attended Washington State University and received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1981.
Since starting at Valley, Thompson held nearly every leadership role available, including medical director of the Clinic Network, vice president of Physician Relations, and interim chief medical officer.
A family physician through and through, he had generations of patient families that would come to see him. He delivered hundreds of babies at Valley and was recognized by Seattle Business Magazine as the 2013 Outstanding Health Care Practitioner in Washington State.
Not only did Thompson devote his career to his patients, but to those in the community in need of care. He led the initiation of the Renton RotaCare clinic, a free, volunteer-based clinic that opened in October 2003 to serve patients without medical insurance who could not afford healthcare.
In 2010 he was voted Renton’s Citizen of the Year for his outstanding service to the community.
Recognizing “Dr. Bob’s” impact
Valley has established the Dr. Bob Thompson Memorial Fund to continue his legacy of giving back through community health and outreach.
In addition, a new waterfall will be constructed in the Healing Garden, which will include a wave-formed gabion metal structure and blue-green glass floats in his honor.
Mock-up of metal gabion (left) and glass float (right).
- Make a donation to the memorial fund.
- Watch the memorial service.
- Or tribute video.
