Alden Thompson

Alden Lewis Thompson, born September 17, 1940, passed away on March 25, 2023, from prostate cancer.

Alden grew up in Connecticut, the eldest son of Alden Augustus Thompson and Maude Hellena (Weaver) Thompson. He had two brothers who preceded him in death. Alden had two daughters. Over the course of his life, he lived in Connecticut, New York, Georgia, New Orleans, Denver, and New Mexico until settling in Salem, Oregon in 1994 to work for the State of Oregon as a disability analyst and later a fraud investigator.

Alden was a quiet and unassuming man. Many people who took the time to hear his stories described him as one of the most interesting people they knew. Even as he neared death, he reminisced with friends over old photos and mementos, regaling them with stories of his time as an insurance fraud investigator, attending teachings by Ayn Rand herself, getting up to mischief with explosives in the Colorado high desert, or serving as a city council member in Pine Lake, Georgia.

Alden spent much of his life as a self-described hippie–his high school yearbook included an inscription from a friend that said “Good luck in your future vocation as a Beatnik”. He spent time in Georgia on an international arts commune. He was a member of Servas International and enjoyed hosting guests from around the world in his home.

Alden was a talented artist and painter. He collected hand-forged Roman coins and ancient Buddhist medallions. He was an intellectual, with a keen ability to discuss religion, politics, philosophy…and roller derby. He loved cheering for his favorite team: Cherry City Roller Derby. Alden was a member of the 1959 8-person graduating class of the Hoosac School, in Hoosick, New York. He held degrees from Mattatuck Community College and New Mexico Highlands University where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

A private service honoring Alden's life will be held and, much to his delight, his ashes will be scattered around the world by his friends.