George Clifford Thompson, professor of business law and accounting at the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University for over 50 years, died on October 12, 2010, in Greenwich , CT. After graduating from both Columbia College in 1942 and the Graduate School of Business in 1943 with honors, he was recruited by Arthur Andersen and Company to open their Paris office. The opportunity to work toward a degree in law while teaching at the Business School was inducement to bring him back to Columbia where he earned his JD at Columbia Law School. As a faculty member, he held the James L. Dohr Chair of Business Law and Accounting at the Graduate School of Business where he was best known as an expert in taxation. He also taught accounting for lawyers at the Law School . Throughout his career, he cared deeply for teaching, and he was recognized both by students and peers as an outstanding performer in the classroom. In addition to his teaching, he co-authored with Professor Gerald Brady Law in a Business Environment, Anti-Trust Fundamentals, Negotiable Instruments and Sales, and Shortened CPA Law Review. Business Law Text and Cases was co-authored with Henry B. Reiling, Gerald Brady, and Frank J. Macchiarola. His close association with Professor Dohr resulted in the book Accounting and the Law. In addition to his teaching, he had a private investment, taxation, and consulting practice for over 50 years.
He was born May 3, 1920, in New York City to W. Stuart and M. Gladys Thompson. He spent the first five years of his life in Athens , Greece where his father, a renowned architect, was overseeing the design and construction of the Gennadius Library. The family later moved to Greenwich , CT when W. Stuart opened his private practice in New York City . George raised his own family in Greenwich where he lived until his death.
He served on the boards of the Greenwich Country Day School and the Ellis Phillips Foundation.
He was the longest-standing active member at Indian Harbor Yacht Club which he joined in 1945. His great love of the sea and sailing - both racing and cruising - led to many racing victories and the ownership of a string of sailboats over the years of membership. Music and gardening were also important to him. He and his wife were long-time supporters of both the Greenwich and Stamford symphonies. He spent many happy hours in the greenhouse and the garden tending to his zinnias, tomatoes, and other favorites.
A consummate family man, he was happiest at informal family gatherings and vacations. He was well known for his quick wit, integrity, and being the perfect gentleman. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Barbara Churchill Thompson, two daughters and son, Elizabeth Baird, Annie Masillo, and Stuart Thompson; two sons-in-law and daughter-in-law: Jay Baird, Chris Masillo, and Tiffany Thompson; four grandchildren, Isabel and Cliff Baird, and Abigail and Chloe Masillo; and his beloved dog Bailey. At the express wish of the deceased, no memorial service will be held.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18