Richard Greene (Pete) Thomson

The son of a naval aviator, Pete crisscrossed the country in childhood, but always called Virginia Beach home. After graduating from Millington Central High School outside of Memphis, Tenn., Pete received five nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy, fulfilling a long-held dream and reaping the reward for, as he said, “keeping his permanent record clean.” After a brief experience there, he decided to trade in the Academy for a more typical college experience, “chasing girls and staying out all night,” as he put it. He described his undergraduate years at Virginia Tech as the happiest in his life, so it seems to have been a sound decision.

After completing both his bachelor’s degree and a master’s in public administration at Virginia Tech, Pete’s long career in public service began when he was hired by Rep. Bob Smith, R-Ore. in 1983. The experience of working for Bob Smith challenged and engaged him thoroughly, and he went on to work for the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, serving five chairmen and retiring as senior advisor for livestock issues after 31 years. Pete sometimes expressed surprise that his suburban childhood had led to a career in the meat industry, but he brought his razor-sharp mind, powers of persuasion and (sometimes acerbic) sense of humor to work on six farm bills and so many key agricultural issues over the decades. A friend, colleague, and mentor to many, he left an indelible mark on all who knew him. He joined the North American Meat Institute as vice president of legislative affairs in 2015 and enjoyed getting to bring his years of expertise and industry relationships to another side of the political equation.

Pete travelled widely, both personally and professionally, often with his first wife, Lynn Harding Thomson. His love of aviation continued throughout his life. He had an enduring love of Westies, was an avid tennis and racquetball player, and with the advent of craft breweries became a bit of a beer snob. In 2021, Pete married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Butler.

Pete always wanted to retire to a college town and in 2022, he and Nancy left Washington for Athens, Ga., home of the University of Georgia. He loved reconnecting with Nancy’s sisters Catherine and Ann Butler, and spending time with his stepchildren, Julia Butler-Mayes and her husband Nick Benson, and Colin Butler-Mayes and his wife Erin Muehlhausen. He enjoyed his time in Athens and surprised himself by becoming an avid fan of Georgia football.

Pete was born in Norfolk, Va., the son of the late Winifred Letitia Greene Thomson and the late CAPT Robert (Bob) Gemmel Thomson, Jr., USN (ret). In addition to his wife, Nancy Hopkins Butler, Pete is survived by his brother LCDR Robert Gemmel Thomson III, USN (ret)and his wife Jo Ann of Oak Harbor, Washington; his brother James Nixon Thomson and his wife Elizabeth of Virginia Beach; sister Brenda Oldfield and her husband Stephen of Boise, Idaho, his nephew James Nixon Thomson, Jr., his nephew Robert Morgan Thomson and his children Eleanor and Colin; his niece Jo Ann Thomson Bauer, her husband Jeff, and their children Victor, Nora and Erin Bauer. He was also predeceased by Cheryl Thomson, the wife of his nephew Morgan.

A memorial service in Washington is planned for spring 2027, with details to be added to the Bernstein obituary online when they are available. If you would like to honor Pete with a donation, consider a gift to the cancer research organization of your choice.

Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, Ga., is in charge of arrangements.