Richard W. Thompson, 76, died at his residence in Wiscasset on May 11, 2017.

He was the son of the late Isabel Amman and Forrest H. Thompson. He was a native of Dayton, Ohio and resided in New Orleans, Louisiana since 1970. After his retirement, he moved to Wiscasset.

He attended the Music and Art School of Performing Arts in New York City, graduated from the Oakwood School, Oakwood, Ohio and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He graduated from the Julliard School with a bachelor's degree in music and Columbia University of New York City, where he received a master's degree in science. He was a Fulbright Scholar, studying in the Netherlands.

He played professionally with the Metropolitan Opera National Company for two years. He was a member of Psi Alpha Mu (National Music Fraternity), ODK (National Leadership Fraternity) and Delta Chi Social Fraternity. He was in sales and reservations for Delta Air Lines over 20 years. Following his retirement from Delta, Richard was an agent for Parrish Travel Agency for seven years. He retired in 2003 as manager of corporate sales for the Windsor Court Hotel.

Thompson was an active volunteer of the NO/AIDS Task Force, and served as co-chair of its board in 1989 and 1990. He also chaired the Education Committee and conducted more than 20 community-wide volunteer training weekends. Richard was the recipient of the Humanitas Award, given by NO/AIDS Task Force for outstanding service to the community. He also served as the chair of the board of advisors of Project Lazarus. He was a past chair of the Distinguished Guest Artist Committee at Loyola University School of Music, a member of the Loyola Music Society and member of the fundraising committee for “Loyola At The Met.”

A Memorial Mass at St. Mary’s Church, 1116 Chartres Street, New Orleans will be held Wednesday, May 31 at 10 a.m., and a private entombment will follow at Lakelawn Mausoleum.

Memorials are suggested to the Metropolitan Opera, 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023 or your favorite charity.

Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home of Metairie is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at www.tharpsontheimerfh.com.