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“Keith was a champion for the people of Kettering and a wonderful friend,” Patterson said. “He will be dearly missed, and our thoughts are with the entire Thompson family.”
In 1956, Thompson began his career at the Kettering Police Department, moving through the ranks from patrol officer to captain/assistant police chief, until his retirement in 1983.
“He will be greatly missed. Amazing man of service,” said officer Joe Ferrell of the Kettering Police Department.
Thompson was elected to Kettering City Council in the fall of 1983 and served the residents of District 1 for 28 years. He was Vice Mayor in 1990–1991, and again in 1998–1999.
He retired from Kettering City Council in 2011 and was honored by Patterson with a proclamation noting his distinguished service to the city.
“Many of the programs and services Kettering residents enjoy today were initiated while Mr. Thompson served on city council,” Patterson said.
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The city detailed Thompson’s accomplishments in a tribute to him on Friday, which included his numerous successes while participating in local, state and national organizations.
Those included the Kettering Volunteer Firefighter Dependents Fund Board; Montgomery County Water/Wastewater Commission; the National League of Cities, Public Safety & Crime Prevention Policy Committee; and the Ohio Municipal League, serving as their President in 2008. In 2007, he received the Kiwanis Kettering” Citizen of the Year” award.
“He will be dearly missed, and our thoughts are with the entire Thompson family,” the city said in a statement.
No information regarding a memorial service had been released by Friday afternoon.
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