Gershom J. Thompson Jr. ’56

Gersh died Sept. 12, 2025, in Healdsburg, Calif.  

He came to Princeton from Rochester (Minn.) High School, pursued a pre-med program, joined Quadrangle Club, rowed freshman crew, and served as an announcer for WPRU. Gersh transferred to the University of Minnesota after sophomore year, where he later earned his medical degree.  

He served in the Army with the 82nd Airborne in Germany and was especially proud of his 22 parachute jumps. After completing his child and adolescent psychiatry residency at the Mayo Clinic, Gersh moved to the San Francisco area, where he served patients for 55 years, renowned for his insight, compassion, and commitment. He loved Sonoma County, a good pinot noir, fine food, and impressed all with his near encyclopedic memory of history, poetry, model trains, classic movies, and jazz. 

Gershom is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joyce Sigmon; sons Jason (Jumana) and Brandon; daughter Paige Draitser (Max); and five grandchildren.