Robert and Ellen Thompson
Founders of the Thompson Foundation and Thompson Schools Foundation
Helping Students Realize Their Dreams
Bob and Ellen Thompson founded the Thompson Foundation in 1999 with proceeds from the sale of the Thompson-McCully Co. asphalt road paving company. Money was also added later from the sale of the McCoig ready-mix concrete company and Spring Mill Reclamation sand company. The Thompson Foundation’s mission is focusing on scholarship programs to support and encourage education as the keystone to improving the quality of people’s lives. The Thompson Working Families Scholarship Program was developed and is now in place at four partner universities: Bowling Green State University, Grand Valley State University, Michigan Technological University and Saginaw Valley State University.
“Sometimes the mission of a foundation loses the direction of the founders over time. Therefore, Ellen and I want to make sure this money is used for what we intend. There is no better way to make sure that happens than to spend or commit it all while we’re still around to see the results.” – Bob Thompson
“Even without money you can do things to help others, You can smile or share a cup of coffee with a friend who is having a bad day. Do what you can and someday I hope you’ll look back and say, ‘Helping others changed my life’.”
“We see how long and hard some people work, and the dreams they have for their children. We’ve been fortunate and want to help these parents realize those dreams.”
“You can’t just throw money at students and make them successful. Everyone has to have skin in the game. Sponsors like us have to participate: the university has to participate; the parents have to participate; and the students have to participate.”
“We are pleased with the way the universities have implemented this program. The success of the kids has just been tremendous.”
”Having your name on a building is ridiculous to a lot of us, but with something like the Working Families Scholarships, lives are changed.”
“Education is impactful. It certainly does change lives, and of course, that’s what we’re after.”
Our History
Bob Thompson was born in 1932 on a small farm in Jonesville, Michigan (Hillsdale County). He graduated from Jonesville High School in 1950. His mother, a teacher, insisted that he go to college, so Bob attended Ohio’s Bowling Green State University on a football scholarship and earned his teaching degree in 1955. Ellen was born in Cleveland, Ohio and also earned a teaching degree at Bowling Green. Bob and Ellen were college sweethearts and married shortly after graduation and moved to Michigan to take teaching positions in Detroit. However, after six weeks as a junior high industrial arts teacher, Bob left teaching to pilot F-86 jet fighters in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 to 1959.
With $3,500 in savings, Bob and Ellen, along with Thompson’s uncle, Wilford McCully, started the Thompson-McCully Co. – an asphalt road paving company – in 1959. McCully left the company in 1960 but Thompson stayed on, developing the business until it became Michigan’s largest asphalt paving company. During that time, Bob and Ellen bought a home in Plymouth, Michigan, and started a family. Sixty-five years later, the Thompsons have three children, six grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and still reside in southeast Michigan.
Bob helped lead the paving industry during his 40 years in business, serving as chairman of the National Asphalt Paving Foundation (NAPA), and president of the Michigan Road Builders Association, the Michigan Asphalt Pavement Association, and the National Center for Asphalt Technology. He holds some of the industry’s highest honors, including Asphalt Institute Roll of Honor, NAPA Man of the Year, Michigan Road Builders Lifetime Achievement Award, and Engineering News-Record’s Award of Excellence.
Bob and Ellen sold the paving business in 1999. They shared nearly one-third of the $422 million sale with their employees. They gave bonuses of up to $2 million to those loyal employees who had been with the company for years and set up annuity accounts for others who were still years away from retirement.
Bob entered the ready-mix concrete business in 2003 and worked to create and grow a successful company in another heavy construction related field. In 2020, the ready-mix business was sold and almost a quarter of the sales proceeds were shared for bonuses and annuities for the employees who worked so hard to help create the value of the business. The remainder of the proceeds went to fund the Thompsons’ philanthropy plan.
Committed to Helping Working Families
“The more time I spend here at Bowling Green State University, the more I understand that the Thompson Working Families Scholarship has opened up a world of endless possibilities for me. I deeply appreciate your investment in the lives of so many people.”
“My mother encouraged us to never take for granted opportunities that would improve our future. I greatly appreciate the opportunity for the scholarship and intend to pay it forward in my education.”
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unwavering support and for making my college education a reality. Your kindness has made a profound difference in my life and I will be forever grateful.”
“This scholarship is so immensely important to me because I know I am so fortunate to be attending college; it helps me to be able to attend Grand Valley and pursue a successful future. There are not enough words to express how grateful and thankful I am!”
“The requirements to keep this scholarship have pushed me to be a better student and person in my community. I appreciate all you do for me and other students at SVSU. Thank you!”
“Thank you for allowing Michigan Tech students like me to be able to afford a higher education. I hope that I will put the education that you have allowed me to get to good use and be an integral part of society.”
“I appreciate this scholarship greatly. I will never forget how much you helped me in my career. I appreciate you so much for granting me this and just know that you have changed someone’s life. Everyone that I tell that I received this scholarship said it was a life-changer. Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson!”
“I want to say a huge thank you for continuing to support my education and development. What you two do is inspiring and amazing, and I would not be here without you. I appreciate the love and care that you exude, and I wish both of you happiness and health in your lives and to your families. Thank you again!”
