Larry Thompson Retires after long KDOT Career

Director of Operations Larry Thompson will be retiring Sept. 4 from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Thompson began his career in Topeka one week after the 1966 tornado hit and had to live in Lawrence as housing was limited in town. After the rotational training program, he served as a Field Survey Party Chief for three years. He came back to Topeka and worked on environmental statements for four years, then chose to work for his father’s company, Thompson Construction Company, Inc.

In 1988, he returned to KDOT as the Area Engineer in Dodge City. He became the District Construction and Materials Engineer in 1991, then was named the District Six Engineer in 1996. In 2016, he was thinking about retiring but received a call from Catherine Patrick, asking him to consider the Director of Operations position in Topeka.

Thompson appreciated working directly with people, especially in southwest Kansas.

“I liked working in the District to try to solve problems and do good things for our customers,” he said.

“There are many good things to say about Larry, I am thankful for the service he has given to the citizens of Kansas and particularly for his contributions as Operations Director,” said Burt Morey, Deputy Secretary and State Transportation Engineer.

During retirement, he and his wife, Kay, plan to spend time with their two children and four grandchildren, three of whom are triplets. He is also looking forward to driving his 1970 Corvette upon completion of the restoration project.