1. In Memoriam: Matthew Thompson ’64, Trustee Emeritus

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
October 13, 2025

Matthew Gilmour Thompson '64, trustee emeritus of Washington and Lee University, died Sept. 24, 2025. He was 83.

Thompson was born June 3, 1942, in Richmond, Virginia, to Madeline Waller and Edward Thompson. After graduating from St. Christopher's School in 1960, Thompson attended Washington and Lee where he majored in commerce and belonged to Kappa Alpha fraternity and the Cadaver Society. At age 20 and while still a student at W&L, he married his childhood sweetheart, Janet Herring Thompson. He went on to earn his MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in 1966.

He began his career working in investment research and sales at Craigie Inc. in Richmond. Three years later, he partnered with fellow St. Christopher's alumni Jack Siegel and Pierce Walmsley to co-found Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLP, an independent investment counsel firm. Thompson guided the firm's growth through ever-changing markets to managing billions of dollars in assets before he retired as chairman emeritus in 2012. In 2018, he was inducted into the Richmond Business Hall of Fame.

Thompson gave back to his community through leadership in several organizations. While a member of W&L's Board of Trustees from 1998-2002, Thompson served as chair of the Investment Committee and Capital Projects Committee. He also served as the Richmond area chair for W&L's On the Shoulders of Giants capital campaign. In addition, Thompson served on boards for the Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges, Richmond Ballet, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, The Steward School, University of Virginia Investment Management Company, The Island School, the Massey Cancer Center and, for nearly two decades, St. Christopher's School.

Outside his work and service, he enjoyed many passions, including fishing, bird hunting with his beloved English setters, golfing and refurbishing houses in Richmond and Boca Grande, Florida. He took particular pride in developing his wild quail preserve at Spring Grove Farm in Surry, Virginia. He was also a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, The Country Club of Virginia, the Commonwealth Club and the Cousiac Club.

Thompson is survived by Janet Herring Thompson, his wife of 64 years; sons, Matthew G. Thompson Jr. '84 (Nancy) and Carter P. Thompson (Chase); daughter, Douglas Donnan Thompson O'Keefe (Stewart); brother, Edward Hunter Thompson Jr. (Nell); sister, Roberta Thompson Garnett; grandchildren, Matthew Thompson (Anne Sims), Tucker Thompson '15 (Gloria), Giles Thompson, Liza Highfill (Sean), Rollins Thompson, Belle O'Keefe and Jay O'Keefe; and great-grandchildren, Moore Thompson, Hayes Thompson and Ramsey Highfill.

After a private burial, a memorial service will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Richmond.

Thompson's full obituary was published on legacy.com.