Obituary of Robert Allen Tompkins

On Saturday, September 3, 2022, Robert Tompkins (Bobby Lee or "BLT"), of Van Etten, NY, passed away peacefully. He was sixty-four years old & will be greatly missed. Robert Allen Tompkins was born to Ben & Alice Tompkins on March 21, 1958, in Central Islip, NY. During his early years, Robert worked in different aspects of the dairy industry and later worked in carpentry, where he eventually retired. Though Bobby never stopped working with his hands and playing music till the end. Through the many eras of Bob's life, one thing was always constant: his love for music. He and Bertha (his bass) traveled to many music festivals throughout the years, attended many picking circles, and bonded with family. Bobby Lee had an affection for nature and all things outdoors. His green thumb was evident in his ability to bring life back to plants/flowers and the time he spent gardening. Above all, Bob loved his family. In recent years, he made a valiant effort to spend more time with all his children & grandchildren, creating many new happy memories with his friends & family. Bob is survived by his 6 children: Jessica Tompkins-Bell, Robert (Ashley) Tompkins, Jacob Tompkins and his mother Diane Mayer, Brenna (Brian) Norton and her mother Robin Crandall, Sarah Tompkins (Justin) and her mother Lea Saxman, Jacie Tompkins (Nick), Joshua (Sarah) Peters and their mother Tina Zell; 23 Grandchildren: Brodie (Desarie), Kylie, Gavin, Tyler (Devyn), Kaleb, Benjamin, Emma, Hannah, Justice, Kiera, Judah, Briana, Daniel, Madison, Cameron, Asher, Callahan, Camden, Kaden, Claire, Laurel, Gabriel, and Aiden. 3 Great Grandchildren: Grayson, Nova, and Nolan, with 3 more "on the way"; 2 sisters: Mary Walker & Ruth (David) Ries-Palatiere; "double cousin" Nancy Tompkins (George) & the countless others that also called him Dad, Grandpa, and Friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and M. Alice (Neuls) Tompkins, and siblings, Dorothy Witt-Tompkins and Thomas Tompkins, Kathy Robinson (mother of Jessica & Bobby), and his fiancé, Janemarie Burke. Such a unique life deserves to be as uniquely celebrated. A tribute to Bobby Lee is being held on Saturday, Sept 17, 2022, at Saxman Farms in Van Etten, NY. For more info: https://fb.me/e/23YBtajDX The family is being assisted by the Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home.