In Memory: Ian George Thomson, Age 96
Ian George Thomson, 96, died April 15, 2023, in Cayce, South Carolina. He was born December 11, 1926, in Bronx, NY, a son of John Kilgour and Barbara (Pringle) Thomson. Ian spent most of his youth growing up in the Bronx, with frequent visits to Scotland to visit his grandparents. He also spent summers as a boy in Upstate New York where he acquired a love of fly fishing. At a young age, he developed a passion and skill for art and attended high school at the Manhattan School of Music and Art.
During World War II, he served in the US Army, mostly at West Point, before being honorably discharged. Ian received his undergraduate degree from the Parson School of Design in Greenwich Village and earned his master’s in education from Columbia. Mr. Thomson had his first one man show in the 1950’s and continued to sell his paintings through galleries in Vermont and New York well into his 80’s.
While teaching at Albany State College, Ian met Janet Van Hemert. They were married in 1954 and settled in Rye, NY, where Ian taught art and the couple raised their four children. The family summered in Brookfield, VT for nearly 30 years and travelled extensively in Europe, where they enjoyed visiting extended family. Since his retirement in 1982 the couple wintered in Cayce, SC and lived in South Strafford, VT, where he restored their home, mostly by himself, before moving in. While living in Vermont, Ian continued his love of art, doing set designs for Opera North and Parish Players.
Ian was predeceased by his wife, Janet in 2021, sons, John and Peter Thomson and sister, Marguerite Colvin. He is survived by his daughters, Barbara Melton of South Carolina, and Denise Thomson of White River Jct.; grandchildren Jennifer Melton, Nicholas Melton, and Erin Thomson.
A service will be held at a later date in the Ridge Road Cemetery in Brookfield, VT.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
