CITIZEN SPOTLIGHT
LEARN TO TEACH, GET TO GIVE 90 years of life lessons from Alabaster resident Robert Thompson Robert G. Thompson was on born August 10, 1930 in Baltimore, MD. His parents were honest and hardworking people who migrated to Baltimore to seek work and to provide for the family. “I was born in the Depression Era where life was hard; food was scarce and times were rough on all people at the same time,” he shared. “My upbringing was a rough one living in a segregated America, but God covered me every step of the way.” FINDING VALUE IN HARD WORK Robert learned the value of work at a young age and has held on to that work ethic all his life. “During my formative years, jobs for black people were limited to manual labor and often menial labor jobs. But as God would have it, one of those such jobs at a Connecticut country club opened my eyes to the food service industry.” From 1945-1950, he worked in various Connecticut country clubs as a chef ’s apprentice, and in 1952, he was drafted into the military as an Army cook. For the next 30 years – beginning with the Korean War, through three tours in Vietnam, and including countless other stateside and overseas assignments –Robert worked around the globe as General Officer, Special Support Staff, and head chef for the Army’s ‘top brass.’ ADVANCING IN THE MILITARY Robert’s military travels have taken him to every corner of the globe, with duty in Germany, France, Southwest Asia, and the 48 contiguous states. “Upon retirement from uniformed service, God answered another prayer by leading me to instruct the Culinary Arts Program for Central Texas College – European Campus,” he recalled. “I was honored to coach, teach and mentor military cooks for about 10 years throughout the military bases in Germany.” Following his instructor years, Robert credits God for advancing him a little further by allowing him to take his talents to the United States Mission in Saudi Arabia. He spent another 10 years in support of the Armed Forces assigned in the Middle East. “God allowed me to use my love and adept knowledge of cooking to change the lives of those I came in contact with,” he humbly acknowledged. “Food is the greatest unifier because it is the one thing we all must do...EAT!”
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RETIRING… OR NOT! In 2008, after 50 plus years of service to the nation, Robert and his wife (Queen Esther Thompson) moved to Colorado Springs, CO to finally relax and enjoy retirement. But he said as God would have it, he found another cooking assignment at Fort Carson, CO. “We spent another 10 years in the Colorado Springs Community, touching lives and serving the military community through my knowledge and passion for cooking.” In 2018, at the request of his youngest daughter, Michelle, the couple moved to join her and her family in Alabaster, AL. “Throughout all of my life’s journey, filled with many highs and lows, my greatest accomplishment has been the marriage to my wife of 55 years, my three children, and their children,” he said tenderly. “My family is my universe and my reason for living!” LIFE LESSONS TO SHARE There are a few ideas that have shaped Robert’s thinking over the years: • The more you learn, the more you earn. Knowledge is power and everyone should be empowered. • If you learn, teach; if you get, give. • Selfless service is noble; helping others is the most rewarding and honorable thing in the sight of God. • The first 100 years are the hardest, everything after 100 is EASY! Since I have made it 90% of the way there, the next 10 years should be easy! • Remain encouraged because God will never leave you. • Stay Focused - Stay focused on the word of God; He is forever faithful. Robert likes to quote Pope Francis as an encouragement to others, “Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself, and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is, life is good when you are happy – but much better when others are happy because of you.”
