RACINE - Melvin Scott Thomson (Scott), age 62, passed away on Monday, March 21, 2016 at his home in Racine, WI surrounded by his family after fighting a courageous battle against cancer. He was born on February 26, 1954 in East Orange, New Jersey son of the late Melvin Thomson and the late Patricia Thomson. Scott graduated in 1976 from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont. He married Alice Raymond on September 2, 1978 in Pittsburgh, PA. Scott went on to earn his Masters of Science at University of Georgia in 1981 and his Doctorate in Entomology at North Carolina State in 1986. He served as a professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside from 1992-2014. He also served as Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences from 2003 through 2007. Scott was an active member of Beth Hillel Temple in Kenosha where he served in numerous leadership roles. He loved to travel throughout the country and abroad with his wife as well as hike and cross country ski with his daughter, Elsie. Scott never missed an opportunity on his travels to take in the natural environment around him.  Scott could often be found bent over in a tidal pool or a pile of dirt looking for bugs or “macroinvertebrates.” He also loved to fish. While at home Scott loved to follow the Brewers and Badger Basketball teams with his son, Ray. Scott cherished being “Papa” for his granddaughter, Emma. The two were inseparable. In addition to his loving wife, Alice, Scott is survived by his daughter Elsie Thomson, Missoula, MT, and son Raymond Thomson, his wife Mary, and their daughter, Scott’s granddaughter Emma Thomson, all of Sun Prairie, WI. Scott is also survived by his brothers and sisters Pamela Stewart, her husband Warren, Raleigh, NC, James Thomson, Allentown, PA, Bruce Thomson, his wife Melanie, Delta, PA, and Megan Guthrie, and her husband Thomas, Mountain Ranch, CA along with nieces and nephews, and dear friends throughout the country. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 25, at 11am at Beth Hillel Temple at 6050 Eighth Avenue in Kenosha, WI. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to Beth Hillel Temple or Thomson Family Fund, University of Wisconsin Parkside Foundation. Shiva services will be held at Beth Hillel Temple at 1:30 pm on Friday, March 25. Bruch Funeral Home 3503 Roosevelt Road Kenosha, WI 53142 262-652-8298 Visit Scott’s Online Memorial Book www.bruchfuneralhome.net