Rob Thompson

Rob Thompson (aka Robbie T, RK, Robertino, thekmcrushah, Brad, Bobby-No-Pants etc.) was an extraordinary husband, dad, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend, neighbour, colleague, teacher, hugger, author, steak BBQer, marathoner, presenter, leader, teammate and coach.

Rob loved deeply, wholeheartedly, and without reservation. He was a silly, devoted, & immensely proud dad to his son and daughter, Benoit and Rose. Watching him love our children was pure magic. He treasured his sunset runs with Rose, especially when custom playlists were involved. He spent countless hours learning new board games so he could teach them to, and play them with Benoit, as well as his local gaming crew. He was unapologetically, the loudest and proudest fan at all of Ben and Rosie’s school concerts.

Learning and leading was always fundamental to who Rob was. Through his various roles at Labatt Breweries, Cargill and Western University, he continued to develop his passion for creating close work communities, improving efficiencies, and sharing his technical expertise with his team. Work was not just a paycheck to Rob, but an opportunity to share his drive and his passion for excellence. During work related meetings, Rob supported our local market, Ungers, through cookie and butter tart purchases, understanding that good quality snacks are the foundation of happy, cohesive work environments.

Rob’s game shelf was another sense of pride. Family & friends always looked forward to browsing Rob’s humble collection of 100+—we stopped counting long ago. We spent many holidays and gatherings mocking each other’s drawings in Telestrations and cursing our lack of courage in Incan Gold.

Rob loved life’s simple pleasures. Summer floats in our pool after his morning runs. Playing Nora, his beloved acoustic guitar. Hiking local trails with our party of four. Road trips to Quebec. Unboxing running shoes. Porch dates. Making playlists on Spotify. Backyard bonfires. New Years runs. Barbecuing mouth-watering steak. Mashed potatoes. Christmas music. Dad jokes. And loud, joy-filled family & friend gatherings, particularly around the holidays.

As his communities rallied around him and joined Team Thompson’s Mississauga Beneva Race group, Rob proudly curated individual messages, videos, and music to share on his socials. Each post was created with genuine thoughtfulness and gratitude for the love and support he was receiving during his cancer journey. Even as he continued to face so many health challenges, he wanted others to know how much their kindness meant to him. He never took that support for granted.

Throughout his treatments, Rob continued to show up for his village. He reminded me when I needed to take my migraine meds & that our air filter needed changing. He kept us caffeinated with Nespresso pod deliveries. He used his walking poles to cheer on his running besties. He organized concerts, gatherings, and outings with family and friends. He was intentional about how he spent his limited energy, choosing to invest it in the people he loved and the experiences that mattered most to him.

I will always be grateful for that determination. For the time we had. For the memories we made. For the way he continued to love us through the hardest days. And for the reminder that a meaningful life is not measured simply by the years we are given, but by the love we share and the connections we make.

Although we are heartbroken that our time with Rob was cut short, we feel incredibly lucky to have been loved by him. We will remember his booming laughter; his witty banter; his constant stream of running- or coffee-related Amazon deliveries; his Christmas spirit; his campfire playlists; his fist bumps; and his secret stash of Chalet sauce. We will hear a song and think of him. We will pass a runner wearing neon shoes, and smile. We’ll drink a chocolate milkshake and know that better times are ahead. We will gather around a table, play a board game that no one understands—and laugh. We’ll watch a sunset, or sit beside a campfire, and feel his presence in the moments he taught us to appreciate.

During his hospital stays and appointments, Rob was deeply appreciative of the care he received at Victoria Hospital, University Hospital, and the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre. Our family is immensely grateful to the compassionate people who cared for him, supported him, and helped us navigate this incredibly difficult chapter of our lives.

Because Rob was sunshine in human form, we want to honour his light in ways that reflect the life he lived and the things he loved. We are honouring his wish to run in Mississauga on April 25, 2027. If you would like to join us, know that we are representing all races– the 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon. We’ll have swag and tattoos to share on the day of the race, and we hope to start and finish this event as a legacy to Rob’s grit, his passion for running & his gift for bringing people together.

https://www.mississaugamarathon.com/

On Saturday, May 1, 2027, we will gather to share our fondest, funniest, and favourite-est Rob stories at his Celebration of Life. Location will be confirmed later. Afterwards, we will gather at Team Thompson headquarters and dedicate a tree in his memory, enjoy a BBQ, and gather around a bonfire with, you guessed it, Rob’s campfire playlist. More details will be shared in the months to come.

In lieu of flowers, it was Rob’s wish that donations be used to support Schulich students, as he was continuously impressed by their skills, compassion, and dedication throughout his many medical appointments over the past several months. Supporting these students is a meaningful way to honour his gratitude for the people who cared for him and his belief in the good they will continue to do for others in the future. Should you choose to donate, follow this link

https://www.westernconnect.ca/robthompson

And in lieu of condolences, Ben, Rosie, and I would love for you to share your favourite stories with us. We want to hear the funny ones, the embarrassing ones, the sappy ones—all the little moments that capture the Rob you knew and loved. Every story is another piece of him we get to tuck away in our hearts.

To our family, friends & teams, thank you for loving Rob so fiercely. Thank you for showing up for him and for us. Your messages, visits, meals, music, custom t-shirts, flowers, mugs, hugs, socks, translated messages, encouragement, and countless acts of kindness helped carry us through the toughest of days. Rob felt your love, and so do we.

Rob–thank you for choosing me. Thank you for the family we built together; for the laughter; the adventures; the music education; the road trips; the porch dates; the quiet moments; and all the ordinary days that became extraordinary simply because we faced them hand-in-hand. Thank you for being such an incredible dad to Ben and Rosie; for loving your people so completely; and for teaching us, through the way you lived, what it means to be truly present, courageous, and grateful.

I wish more than anything that we had been given more time. More sunsets. More walks. More songs. More Christmases. More shared cheesecakes. More Ted Lasso. More Swiss Chalet. More of your laughter filling our home. More years of growing old together, but I will never stop being grateful for the time we did have. Your love will continue to shape us, guide us, and connect us to you for the rest of our lives. We will carry you into every finish line, every family gathering, every campfire, every song, and every new adventure. We will find you in the people you brought together and in the kindness you inspired. We will keep laughing, keep loving, and keep making memories, because that is what you would want for us.

What a privilege it is to be your family. What a privilege it is to love you. And what a privilege it will always be to carry your love with us wherever we go.

Love you to Pluto and back times infinity.

xoxo Carole (aka Carebear), Ben (aka B) & Rose (aka Roro)