RICHARD THOMSON
12/04/1933 - 03/22/2023
Richard Joseph Thomson, MD passed away peacefully in Austin, Texas on March 22, 2023.
Born in Harvey, Illinois in 1933, Richard became a Texan at thirteen when he moved to Houston. After graduating from Lamar High School and finishing pre-med at the University of Texas at Austin, he entered UT Medical Branch in Galveston graduating in 1959. His internship was at Hermann Hospital in Houston; Basic Science in Ophthalmology at Colby College in Waterville, Maine; and ophthalmology residency at LSU Medical Branch Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In 1963, Dr. Thomson moved to Baytown, Texas and practiced general ophthalmology for 36 years until his retirement in 1999 from the San Jacinto Reginal Eye Center. He was certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He was the first physician in Texas to be certified in refractive surgery by the American Board of Eye Surgery. He was also certified by the International Foundation for Ophthalmic Research & Education and the Moscow Research Institute of Microsurgery.
He served as president of the East Harris County Branch of the Harris County Medical Society, president of Gulf Coast Hospital Medical Staff, and president of the Houston Ophthalmological Society. He has been an instructor of ophthalmology in the San Jacinto Methodist Hospital training program for the American Academy of Family Practice and a guest instructor for Lee College School of Nursing for many years.
Dr. Thomson’s civic affiliations included the Baytown Chamber of Commerce as a director, the Lee College Foundation Board, and the Rotary Club of Baytown of which he was a 50+ year member and a Paul Harris Fellow. In 1993, he was presented with the Rotary Governor’s Distinguished Service Award for his contributions of skill, energy, and time, as well as supplies and equipment to the Rotary Clinic in Guerrero, Mexico. The Pilot Club of Baytown awarded him with the Humanitarian Award in 1993. For the Benevolent Mission International, Dr. Thomson performed charity surgery in Bolivia and El Salvador.
A longtime supporter of the University of Texas, Dr. Thomson has served as president of the Baytown Texas Exes and was honored as Outstanding Baytown Texas Ex in 2007.
Richard and Rose Marie moved to Austin in 2021 and enjoyed making new friends.
Richard touched the lives of his family, his many friends, and thousands of patients. He will be missed and wellremembered.
Dr. Thomson is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rose Marie Black Thomson; sons Richard and wife Joan Carr, John Edwin (deceased),
Clark, Andrew and wife Michele Chan; grandchildren Joey, David, Robert, Andrew, Jean Marie, Clark Chan, Bradford and Maria; and great-grandchildren Mia, Amos and Conrad.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, Texas 77521, with Rosary to be recited at 7 pm.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11 am, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1907 Carolina Ave., Baytown, Texas 77520. Honored to serve as pallbearers: Grant Harpold, Scott Ezell, Thomas Clark, Richard Thomson III, David Thomson, Clark Chan Thomson, and Bradford Thomson.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.navarrefuneralhome.com for the Thomson family.