According to Trimble Funeral Home & Crematory in Moline, Illinois, Herb Thompson, one of two Forest City Hall of Fame basketball players, has passed away at age 91.
Thompson was an all-state selection in 1948 and 1949 at Forest City. In the ’49 season, Thompson helped the Indians to the state championship game before they fell to Ottumwa, 39-27. The Indians opened the ’49 state tournament with a 41-31 win over Waterloo West. They defeated Ankeny 52-42 in the second round and narrowly got past Winfield in the semifinal round, 46-43. But Ottumwa kept the Indians’ scoring to a minimum and held the Indians to just 27 points. Thompson was Forest City’s only two-time all-stater until Greg Pilgram in 1990 and 1991. He was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1971.
Following his playing career at Forest City, Thompson went on to the University of Iowa, where he was a team captain and earned MVP honors as a senior in 1953, according to the University. He was the team’s second-highest scorer as a senior, averaging 13.5 points per game. The Hawkeyes finished second in the Big Ten his junior season, while Thompson averaged 8.5 points per game.
After college, he served in the US Air Force for two years, followed by another hall of fame career – this time as a coach. According to his obituary, he coached high school basketball and taught history and PE for 22 years, the last 14 at Moline High School. This led the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association to induct Thompson into their Hall of Fame.
Thompson Passed on Friday at the Cedarhurst Assisted Living. Thompson’s services are scheduled for Friday, July 8t 10 AM in First Congregational Church of Moline. He will be laid to rest at the Moline Memorial Park.
