Thompson, Clarence Russell

Clarence Russell Thompson

12/6/1928 - 11/4/2013

Clarence Russell (Clancy) Thompson passed away peacefully on Nov. 4, 2013, at his home in Salem, Ore., after a brief illness. He was 84.

Clancy was born Dec. 6, 1928 in Boxholm, Iowa, to the Rev. Harry Orlou Thompson and LeVon Charles Thompson. His early years were spent in Boxholm before relocating to Alta Vista, Iowa, where he went to grade school. In 1937, the family moved again to Waverly, Iowa, where he attended junior high and Waverly High School. Clancy transferred to Central High School in Le Mars in 1944, graduating in 1946. He attended and played football for Westmar College before transferring to Iowa State University, where he graduated with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering in 1951. While attending ISU he met the love of his life, Beth Helen Hutton, an elementary school teacher in Des Moines. They were soon married and established their home in Waverly, where Clancy was employed by the Shield Bantam Co. as an engineer. He became a registered professional engineer in 1953 and was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Pi Tau Sigma and Tau Beta Pi engineering honoraries. He went on to become chief engineer and president and general manager of Shield Bantam Co., designing and manufacturing some of the company's most successful cranes and excavators. Clancy and Beth moved to Pewaukie, Wis., when he assumed leadership of Koehring Crane and Excavator Group. A later move took them to Enid, Oklahoma and Speedstar. Clancy finished his professional career as vice president of engineering and manufacturing manager at Cherry Burrell/Evergreen, a division of International Paper in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

His community activities included the Iowa National Guard, Waverly Planning and Zoning Commission, Waverly Library board and the Waverly Rotary Club. Clancy and Beth were active members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Waverly and St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. After retirement, the couple moved to Salem, Ore., to be close to their sons' growing families.

Clancy's great passions were his family, friends and the outdoors, and his life revolved around them. His sporting activities were seasonal, including water skiing and back packing in the summer, pheasant hunting in the fall, snow skiing in the winter and fishing at all times in between. His sons' only complaint about his character was that he out-fished them three to one and often neglected to share his early morning coffee while sitting in a cold boat.

He will always be remembered for his devotion to his wife and sons, his ability to build or repair anything, his ready laugh, warm eyes, soft smile and for the genuine interest he had in those around him.

Clancy is survived by his sisters, Myrleen Divelbiss of Coralville, Marcella Claus of Blacksburg, Va., and Lois Thompson of Overland Park, Kan.; sons, John Hutton Thompson (Karen) of Lake Oswego, Ore., Dr. Clark Russell Thompson (Kathleen) of Salem, Ore., and Stephen William Thompson of Austin, Texas; and grandchildren, Benjamin, Samuel, Elizabeth and William. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beth; and brother, Dwight Thompson.

A family service was held in Salem, Ore.

Remembrances can be sent to the Black-Hilstrom Fund, College of Engineering, ISU Foundation, 2505 University Blvd., Ames, IA 50010.

Published Dec. 7, 2013 in The Gazette