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In Memory of Dr. Derek Thompson, GIS Pioneer and Dedicated Educator

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  • In Memory of Dr. Derek Thompson, GIS Pioneer and Dedicated Educator
A senior man wearing glasses is seated on a deck, surrounded by a serene outdoor environment.

We are saddened to share the passing of Dr. Derek Thompson, Emeritus Associate Professor of Geography, who died on Feb. 21 following a battle with dysphasia.

Born on Dec. 10, 1938, in Throckley near Newcastle, UK, Dr. Thompson earned his MA in Geography from Manchester University and his Ph.D. from Indiana University in 1966. He joined the University of Maryland in 1968, where he dedicated 33 years to shaping the field of geography.

A pioneer in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Dr. Thompson played a pivotal role in bringing GIS technology to the department, including negotiating its first ESRI license. He also led community-focused mapping initiatives, working closely with residential neighborhoods to apply geographic research in meaningful ways. Among his many scholarly contributions, he co-authored Fundamentals of Spatial Information Systems and directed the project that produced the Atlas of Maryland.

Dr. Thompson was deeply passionate about teaching, research and innovation. He was especially dedicated to his students, fostering their learning through hands-on field studies, and he continued to share his knowledge with colleagues long after his retirement in 2001. Ever a supporter of the department, Dr.Thompson visited the GEOG table on Maryland Day 2024, spending hours enthusiastically chatting with former and current students, as well as faculty members.

Dr. Thompson’s legacy in the GEOG department lives on through the generations of students he mentored, the research he advanced, and the impact he had on both the university and the broader geographic community.

GEOG extends our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

Read Dr. Thompson's obituary.
 

Published on Wed, 02/26/2025 - 15:52

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