My first experience with Mr Thompson was in the Boy’s Military Chorus in 7th and 8th grades. As my voice changed during those years I moved section by section from soprano to bass. Later I was lucky enough to join the a  cappella chorus. Chorus was the thing I remember most fondly about my high school years. Recently, at a meeting, I was asked to name the most inspiring people in my life. I told them about Mr Thompson – how he had taught us to reach for perfection and to love the sound we could make at our very best. Not too many teachers were loved by their students but we chorus members were devoted to him.

Mr. Thompson was one of my music teachers and Choir Director at BF Jr. High in Ridgewood. I can never hear Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring without thinking of him. I remember he bemoaned being unable to sell new ‘Christmas Tunes.’  He also introduced us to the Moog Synthesizer.  A well-lived life. Sending comfort and peace. 

So enjoyed the wonderful shows Mr. Thompson organized/produced/
directed. He was a real professional and NMHS was fortunate to have him on the staff. We have lost another superb teacher from that era. Rest in peace, sir.

Thinking about you, Maenelle, and family as you experience the first year without Dick.  Lots of loving thoughts for healing and comfort to you.

 I had the opportunity to intern under Dick in Ridgewood and he was really on top 
of where music education had to proceed. It was a pleasure and an honor to work with him . I just found out about this in 2015 , but he's still making his mark everywhere with the music schools all over the country. We owe him a great debt.- Roy Root, Madison

I had the great pleasure of getting to know Dick when I sang at 22 Below in NYC, with the Florilegium Chamber Choir (which I still sing with) in NYC, and with the Gregg Smith Singers. He was a kind, generous, funny, charming, mega-talented man. Love his compositions, especially those set to lyrics by  Kim Rich, and arrangements. Working with Dick was so smooth, such a pleasure. He was the ultimate professional. He's already sorely missed.

I was so lucky to be in the A Cappella Chorus with Mr. Thompson at NMHS. To this day, I hear songs that we sang in high school and think of him.  He touched so many lives with his love of music.

I had the good fortune to be in a composers' group, the (Northern) New Jersey Camerata, with Mr. Thompson. Mr. Thompson was a supportive colleague and a talented composer. I remember his piece being an audience favorite at our first concert, and I learned a lot about building verbal rapport with an audience just by watching him. Thanks for everything, Mr. Thompson. RIP. Condolences to Maenelle--his wife--and the Thompson family.

By example Mr T taught love for music, emersion in creating it, self respect, dedication and perseverance.  I am and will always be deeply in his debt.  Thank you, Mr Thompson.

With sincere sympathy to his family.  He was the best choral director and he made our chorus class at NMHS so much fun. I loved his class and our concerts.  Wonderful teacher.  May he rest in peace.
Karen Chiandusse (nee Mossay)  (Northvale, N.J.)

My condolences to the Thompson family.  While I never had Mr. Thompson in class, I saw a production of his many years ago. It was Frank Loesser's "The Most Happy Fella". I was 13 or 14 at the time and with that show I began a life long love of theatre, opera and classical music. Thank you so very much Mr. Thompson!

Though I was an art major, I was so fortunate to have Mr. Thompson as my music teacher. My sincere condolences to his family.

Mr. Thompson was one of my most beloved mentors.  I learned so much about music and life from him.  May his memory be eternal.

My condolences to the family.  Mr. Thompson was a wonderful teacher; patient and kind with the ability to draw the most beautiful music from his students.  To this day whenever I hear the Hallelujah Chorus I think of him and learning my part in the chorus room.

I will always remember Richard Thompson fondly.  I was not in the chorus, but will always remember the great shows that he put on at NMHS.  I remember seeing one of his musicals, three times in a week. He was a wonderful teacher and mentor to so many.  God bless him always.  My deepest sympathy to all of his family.

Tothe Thompson family my deepest condolences and a sincere thank you for all the good memories and good times I had a New Milford High School were Mr. Thompson taught music. He was a special person in my life. I will always remember him as friend and mentor.  Thank you Mr. Thompson!

NMHS Music with Mr Thompson 1965 was always enlightening.  He made his mark in our memories.  Because of  him I learned all of the armed forces songs...and never forgot!  Then in the late 90's, my children in CHS had the honor of meeting him in music class also. He never lost his devotion to music.

I had the pleasure of having Mr Thompson as a teacher. He was a kind and patient man and made our chorus sound so much better than I ever thought we would. All the classes and shows we performed under his direction made happy memories. God bless his soul and condolences to his family.

Mr Thompson profoundly touched many lives, including my own. I was privileged to be one of his students.

To the Thompson Family, my prayers are with you all, what a wonderful husband/father you had.  
He had such great patience with the general choir and the acappella choir he worked with in the late 60's.  We always had such great musicals under his guidance everyone enjoyed doing their best for him.
It was great to see him at the reunion at Connie Revetto's store in NM a few years back, he and Mrs. Thompson looked great.
Chrys Ward-Baker class of 68 NMHS

It was our 'never to miss', and beloved class in high school.He brought us to Columbia Univ., to record a choral piece he had written,taught me everything I know about music, and was an intellectual and creative force, when there were not so many for us, in high school...............We all loved him.......................what a great and talented man.

What a wonderful human being, musician, composer and choral director!  An inspiration to so many young people.

One of the most interesting, intelligent and kindhearted people we had the privilege to meet since moving here. Our condolences from Jane and Pier Rondin.

What a gift he had to share his love of music with so many and what a gift it was to be one of his students. He will forever be in the soundtrack of my life and the life of my borther Joe Di Grazia. My sincere condolences to the family.
Barbara Di Grazia Crews ( Hilton Head Island, SC)

Here's to you, Mr. Thompson.  You will always be a star in my galaxy of memories and mentors.

Dick Thompson, “Mr T”, was the most kind-hearted, wise and influential teacher I had in high school (NMHS) and I loved him dearly.  I recall, on a dark backstage as young stage crew help for a Christmas concert, hearing A Cappella Chorus singing “Wassail, Wassail” with such purity and joy that I cried and then knew that's where I belonged.  I lived to sing in his many choral groups, musicals and began voice lessons with his encouragement that led to years of wonderful training with another of his former students, the gifted tenor Frank Spoto.  I became a classical singer and music teacher, and have continued with a lifetime of vocal work, now with children with special needs for whom music opens spacious lives. This is a gift I know I am passing on directly from Mr. T. 

My deepest condolences to you Maenelle, and to Laura and Rob and to the grandchildren.  How happy he looks with them in the photos!  I remember how all of you were part of the team effort in those amazing musical productions.  No doubt, so many from NMHS' musical community hold you in their thoughts, and both mourn his leaving and celebrate his amazing life.  Whenever I hear ‘S Wonderful, Mr. T will especially be in my heart.

He was a gifted man of music and an exemplary teacher that inspired so many of his students in so many ways. An all around great guy! My sincere condolences to his family.

I have so many fond memories of Mr. Thompson from high school. What a terrific teacher.  I was part of the chorus. Graduated in '68.  Mr. Thompson put on wonderful shows. God bless him and his family.  Mr. Thompson left quite a legacy behind.  Thank you for enriching so many students' lives.  
Sherry Jones Levy
Class of 1968.

Dick Thompson was my chorus teacher from 7th to 12th grade and taught me all that I know about singing.  He was a gentle, kind person. "Years of Song Fall on our Hearts.  Rain and Sun Give Strength to the Seedling.  We Blossom!"  Rest in Peace, Dick.

My condolences to Mr. Thompsons family. He was such a wonderful teacher. My he Rest in Peace.

Our sincere condolences to the Thompson family ~
  
"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."

Mr. Thompson was a delight to so many.

Jerry Quinn '67 & 
Karen (Schwabik) Quinn '68 at NMHS

Thank you Mr. Thompson for so many memories of NMHS chorus and piano lessons.

You were one of my favorite teachers of all time. Thank you, and condolences to your family.

My thoughts and prayers to the family. Strong memories of special times.

My Condolences to Mr. Thompson's family. He was loved by all his students. He was a great teacher and mentor. I remember him fondly, was lucky enough to be in his "Ensemble" and all of his Musical Shows. Susan Sieg, New Milford High School Class of '69.

My condolences to the family. Mr. Thompson made strong impressions on so many students, waking up the joy in our vocal/musical abilities. A favorite teacher to many. For me from '57 to '62 at NMHS!

A wonderful life bearing gifts shared with many.

Steve Ross, NMHS 1964 (Tenor)

My condolences to the family.  I had Mr. Thompson for music and choir at NMHS from 1967-1971.   Class of '71.  He was one of my favorites.  Very good teacher.

I just wanted you to know that Mr. Thompson was one of my favorite teachers in High School.  He was a kind and gentle man and an encouraging teacher. He had an impact on a lot of lives and was loved by many students. It was great to see all his pictures.

What an amazing life Dick had. He told us so many wonderful stories over the years. May he find the same amazing journey in the next life. Our hearts go out to Maenelle and Robert. All our Love and prayers to you and your family. Dr. Harry Elia and Shelly

Our deepest condolensces to The family. I enjoyed all the wonderful stories Dick would tell and thank him for getting me started in Geneology which he had such a passion for. He was a talented and kind man.
Fondly, Chris and Lou Ragusa

OBITUARY

Richard Lee Thompson

June 14, 1925 – June 19, 2014

Becker Funeral Home

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