Robert M. Thompson ’57 on Nov. 19, 2008.  A native of San Jose, he earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at St. Louis University, and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, earning a Purple Heart and other distinctions. In his later years, he volunteered at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. He was a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, serving as senior vice commander of the local chapter at the time of his death. During a career in the chemical industry, he was credited with numerous patents while working for DuPont, Sun Oil and, later, W.L. Gore. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; four children; and eight grandchildren.