JEWELL, Iowa — For many, Brian Thompson was the CEO of a significant corporation, a talented executive whose tragic passing last week in New York City has left the police engaged in a large manhunt for the masked assailant who shot him from behind.

However, in Iowa, he is remembered in a more personal light—as a friend, neighbor, and classmate who grew up in southern Hamilton County.

The 50-year-old UnitedHealthcare CEO grew up on a farm situated between the small town of Jewell and the even smaller town of Stanhope, graduating from the shared South Hamilton High School in 1993.

This past Saturday, Taylor Hill reminisced while perched on a bench outside South Hamilton Elementary School in Jewell. He gazed toward the nearby middle and high schools, recalling the moments he shared with his childhood friend before Thompson moved on to the University of Iowa, where he would eventually climb to the role of CEO of one of America’s largest health insurance companies based in Minneapolis.

“He was among the brightest students, possibly the brightest I’ve ever met,” Hill stated. “He was likely smarter than many of our teachers, and they recognized that, too.”

“We explored these grounds together since kindergarten,” he continued, pointing to the middle and high school buildings nearby. “We moved to that school there in fifth grade and continued our journey through 12th grade there.”

During their elementary years, they would celebrate each other’s birthdays and play on the playground.

As they progressed to middle and high school, their bond deepened. They played golf, basketball, and baseball together, exchanging sports cards and curating mixtapes of their favorite songs from childhood.

One of Hill’s most cherished memories is a summer weekend when he and Thompson accompanied his father up north to Clear Lake.

“My dad knew how much we loved golf, so he got us a family membership at a local par three course,” Hill chuckled. “He listed Brian as my brother to save on costs.”

In winter, the two friends enjoyed riding snowmobiles through the trees and jumping over snowbanks.

“The moment it started snowing, he would immediately say, ‘Can we go snowmobiling? Let’s go!'” Hill recalled with a smile.

Thompson was the valedictorian of their graduating class of nearly 60 students. After high school, he pursued an accounting degree at the University of Iowa, graduating as valedictorian in 1997, while Hill went to Mason City to attend North Iowa Area Community College.

Although they would reconnect over the summers in the Jewell men’s golf league, Hill eventually transferred to the University of Iowa, leading to less frequent encounters.

As their adult lives became busy, they drifted apart until Thompson managed to get Hill’s number and reached out via text.

“In recent years, Brian found my number through a mutual friend from South Hamilton and got in touch with me,” Hill said. “We loved reminiscing about the past.”

Sadly, the chance to rekindle their friendship was lost. When Hill heard from another friend about Thompson’s tragic death on Wednesday, shock enveloped him.

“At first, I doubted it was real,” Hill admitted. “I received a message, and I thought, ‘No way, this can’t be true, right? It must be some Facebook hoax,’ And then it made the news.  And all those memories flooded back.

“This was a person I grew up with, and now he’s gone.”

Brian Thompson was a farm boy from an exceptional family

Nestled between Stanhope, which has a population of 350, and Jewell, home to approximately 1,200 residents, there lies a small pond that, despite having a sparse fish population, is rich with memories for local residents.

According to Hamilton County Supervisor Rick Young, the charm of visiting such a spot early in the day, whether before school or church, wasn’t about catching fish. “It was more about enjoying the peace and tranquility,” he remarked.

This pond was significant in the upbringing of Brian Thompson, who was fondly remembered in his 2023 obituary as a boy who enjoyed fishing with his father.

Young, who is a family friend, shared that they were dedicated farmers raising corn, beans, and pigs.

“Brian and the other children in rural Iowa learned to work as soon as they were able to swing a pitchfork or help with hay,” he reflected.

“He was a wonderful kid — that’s for sure. The family has been a cornerstone of the community,” Young emphasized. “It’s simply the way life is in this area.”

“If there is an afterlife, I believe Brian and his father are enjoying a fishing trip together today,” he added.

The Passing of Brian Thompson Leaves a Void in the Community

Brian Thompson left behind his wife, Paulette, who hails from Webster City, Iowa, as well as his two sons and his mother, Pat.

“I have a close relationship with his mother. I see Brian in my thoughts every day,” stated Kelly Wirtz, the Mayor of Stanhope and a family friend, while attending a fundraiser for the local fire department. “As a mother myself, I find this situation deeply frightening.”

“The news is shocking and heartbreaking for the family and everyone involved,” she continued. “We have discussions about this on a daily basis. We will support Pat in any way we can.”

The sense of grief is palpable in Stanhope, where many people are mourning the loss of Thompson.

“It’s a tight-knit community facing a profound sorrow,” remarked Wirtz.