Donald Adrian Thompson

Donald A. Thompson, 87, Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away Oct. 6, 2021.
Don was born to Melvin and Olga Thompson, Lake Mills. Don and his four siblings—Marlin, Ardis, Darlene and Roger—grew up on the family farm and attended a country one-room schoolhouse until high school. After graduating from Lake Mills High School in 1951, Don attended St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., graduating in 1955 “Maga Cum Laude” with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and Economics.
Don worked in the school dining room throughout college and had the honor to serve former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. He continued his studies at the University of Wisconsin, receiving his Master of Science degree in Actuarial Science in 1956.
Don next served in the U.S. Army as a mathematician at the Pine Bluff Arsenal, Ark., from January 1957 until January 1959 and then remained in the U.S. Army Reserve until March 1963.
He began his civilian career as the manager of the Group Actuarial Division at the Union Central Life Insurance Company, where he worked until 1989, retiring as a Second Vice President and Pension Actuary. Don was an Enrolled Actuary, a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries. One of his favorite company social activities was with a group called UCQU, the Union Central Quadranscentennial Club for employees that have been with the company over 25 years.
Don was raised a Lutheran and was confirmed at Salam Lutheran Church, Lake Mills. Upon arriving in Cincinnati, he joined First Lutheran Church on Race Street, where he served as a church council member, church council president, chairman of the finance committee and treasurer. He spent many hours working with the youth of the church, picking many of them up for Thursday night bible school and Sunday services for over six decades.
Never married, his church and commitment to his fellow man was his extended family. In 1964, Don was asked to take care of a young eight-year-old boy, Fred Calvert, whose father had just passed away, while Fred’s mother and another church member, Marty Beckley, made funeral arrangements. He took it upon himself to help raise Fred, and for the last 57 years, Don considered Fred to be his son and Fred considered Don to be his new father. Fred’s four children—Keith, Heather, Nicholas and Ashley—always looked to Don as their grandfather and their combined 15 children, his great grandchildren.
Don’s other favorite pastime was reading, and he was a member of the Madisonville Round Table Book Club from 1968 until his death. He also served as the group’s president and secretary.
Don is survived by his sister Ardis Sorbo, Henderson, Nevada; sister-in-law, Juli Thompson; nephews and nieces: Allen (Mary Anne) Sorbo; Tom Sorbo; Pam (Steve) Hilborn; Kevin (Sam) Sorbo; Scott (Debbie) Sorbo; Susan (Mike) Blake; Jim Hanna; Bruce Thompson; Bonnie Thompson; Ann (Butch) Weiland; Lori (Michael) Hritz; Sonia Shepard; along with other relatives and friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Marlin (Harriet) and Roger; sister, Darlene (Stan Hanna); and brother-in-law, Lynn Sorbo.