SALISBURY — Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury reported Thursday that its board chairman, Bishop Richard Keith Thompson, died last Saturday in Washington, D.C.

Thompson, 73, was a Kannapolis native. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Livingstone College in 1965 and a master of divinity degree from Hood Theological Seminary in 1968. He was elected the 86th bishop in the line of succession during the AME Zion Church’s 44th General Conference in 1992.

“Bishop Thompson served with great dedication and distinction on the Hood Theological Seminary Board of Trustees since its inception in 2001,” the seminary said in a press release.

“We will miss his strong, quiet leadership which transformed and inspired those who worked with him to strengthen and support the seminary.”

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Trinity AME Zion Church, 3505 16th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.  Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m.

Bishop Thompson is survived by his wife, Georgia M. Thompson, their two children and four grandchildren. Condolences may be sent to Georgia M. Thompson, 1420 Missouri Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20011.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bishop Richard K. Thompson Endowed Scholarship Fund, Hood Theological Seminary, 1810 Lutheran Synod Drive, Salisbury, NC 28144.