Obituary: Charles Bob Robert Thompson, US Marine Corps Veteran

A Life of Service and Connection

The community is mourning the sudden loss of Charles “Bob” Robert Thompson, a decorated combat veteran and dedicated logistics professional who passed away on October 31, 2026, at the age of 52.

According to an obituary published by Parthemore Funeral Home, Thompson leaves behind a legacy defined by his unwavering commitment to his fellow Marines, his devotion to his son, and a spirit of adventure that took him across the country.

Born on August 16, 1974, in Gary, Indiana, Thompson was raised in Hobart, where he developed an early reputation as a gifted athlete. During his time at Hobart High School, from which he graduated in 1993, he earned the nickname “Pippen” for his varsity basketball skills, a nod to the Chicago Bulls era that helped define his lifelong fandom of Chicago sports teams.

From Marine Corps Service to Logistics

While his family held a deep-rooted tradition of service in the United States Navy—including his father, Raleigh Gene Thompson Sr., his grandfather Bartolo Flores, and his uncles John and Richard—Bob chose a different path. In 1994, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

He served faithfully on both active duty and in the Reserves until his retirement as a Staff Sergeant in 2022, a career that included deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Obituary: Charles Bob Robert Thompson, US Marine Corps Veteran — Photo: legacy.com

As a Motor Transport Operator, Instructor, and Chief, Thompson was known for a leadership style that prioritized mentorship. He believed that the phrase “Once a Marine, Always a Marine” was a mandate for how to live, often providing support to his fellow veterans long after their shared time in uniform concluded.

His professional life after the military reflected his knack for solving complex logistical puzzles, eventually leading him to a role as a Senior Project Specialist at Honeywell Technologies, where he managed automated warehouse systems.

A Legacy of Adventure and Family

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Thompson found a partner in Tiffany “Tiff” Marie Lewis. The two shared a passion for the open road, traveling extensively in a trailer that Thompson maintained with the same meticulous attention to detail he applied to his military duties. Whether he was tinkering with the rig or preparing breakfast on his Blackstone griddle at a campsite, he approached life with a hands-on, problem-solving mindset.

Beyond his professional and military accomplishments, those who knew him emphasize his role as a father to his son, James Cooper Thompson. The two shared a strong bond built around working on cars, a shared interest that remained a cornerstone of their relationship.

His friends and family remember him as someone who, while private at first, would do anything for those he considered “his people,” from running 5Ks to assisting with home repairs.

Honoring a Life Well-Lived

To accommodate his broad network of friends and family, two celebrations of life have been scheduled. The first will take place on December 5, 2026, at the Hobart VFW in Hobart, Indiana, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

A second gathering will be held on December 12, 2026, at the Abbey Bar in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Plans are currently underway for his final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery, where he will be interred with military honors.

In reflecting on his life, his family shared a request that captures his outlook: “Take the time to hold a hand, kiss on the cheek, tell someone you love them, and slow dance with them. Don’t cry for me, just spend time remembering the memories we created.”

As the family prepares for these services, the question of how to best fill the void left by such a steadfast friend and mentor remains at the forefront for those who served beside him and those who loved him at home.