Russell Emery Thompson, widower of Laurie West Thompson and retired professor of mathematics at The Citadel, died on January 15, 2018. The family will receive friends Friday, January 19, 2018 at 701 Arcadian Way from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held Saturday, January 20, 2018 in Magnolia Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Downtown Chapel.

Mr. Thompson was born April 30, 1920 in East Rochester, New Hampshire, the son of the late Herman Ashley Thompson and Vinne Wentworth Thomson. He was a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with advance degrees from Tufts College and the University of South Carolina.

During World War II, as an officer in the Marine Corps, he saw duty in the Caribbean and participated in the securing of Guam and the invasion of Okinawa. Beginning in 1947, Mr. Thompson taught mathematics at The Citadel for 38 years. He served one year as acting head of his department and, on two occasions, he received the James C. Self Award for teaching. He was a member of the American Association of University Professors, The Mathematical Association of America, the South Carolina Society for Philosophy and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

He is survived by a son, Donald West Thompson of Goat Island, SC; daughter, Nancy Thompson Barnwell (Elliott) of Charleston, SC; one grandson, John Russell Barnwell (Sarah) and great-grandson, John Benjamin Barnwell of Tacoma Park, MD.

He was predeceased by one grandson, Thompson Parker Barnwell.

Memorials may be made to the Unitarian Church of Charleston, 4 Archdale Street, Charleston, SC 29401 or to a charity of one's choice.