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Robert Tomkins Obituary
July 9, 1933 ~ December 21, 2014
"Father Bob" as he was known to parishioners and friends was born in Seattle to Jim and Ellen Tomkins. The eldest of four boys he attended Holy Rosary grade school and graduated from O'Dea High in 1952. Bob continued his education and graduated from Iona College where he entered religious life as an Irish Christian Brother. For the next 27 years Bob dedicated his life to education earning a PHD in Theology and teaching at several Catholic schools across the country, including Brother Rice High school in Chicago Vancouver College in British Columbia, Cantwell High in California and his old beloved alma mater O'Dea. In 1988 at the age of 54 Bob fulfilled a life-long dream and was ordained a Catholic Priest. He served in the diocese Of San Bernadino in California until his retirement in 2010.
Father Bob is preceded in Death by his parents and brothers Dan and Jim Tomkins. He is survived by his brother Steve Tomkins and by nieces Teresa Robinson, Ann Tomkins, Bryn Tomkins and nephews James Tomkins, Edward Tomkins, Michael and Matthew Tomkins
Funeral services will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle on Monday December 29th at 10:30 am with a reception following.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Tomkins
Sponsored by The Family.
Art Uvaas
June 30, 2018
Father Tomkins was a holy; saintly and scholarly priest.
I always appreciated his steadfast and no-nonsense approach in his preaching about morality and living a righteous life through our Catholic-Christian charism. My late mother and father really appreciated him when he was pastor of St. Christopher-of-the-Desert Church in Joshua Tree, California. He also assisted another holy priest: Father Louis Marx--who recently went home to be with The Lord in Guasti/Ontario, California.
It is with sadness that I just recently learned of Father Tomkins' passing. These holy men will always be remembered for their love of God, while being true witnesses of the Faith.
April 8, 2018
I had Brother Tomkins at BRHS in Chicago, he was anexcellent teacher. The annual yearbook always said the English dept was the best educated dept inthe school. He was one of the reasons that was true. I always enjoyed him and his class, and thisnk of him often.
Sinceerely, Dan Dillon
BRHS in Chicago class of 1975.
Joe Burke
December 4, 2017
Fr. Bob was a mentor and a friend. I lost touch with him over the years but he was the reason I entered the Christian Brothers. My prayers are with Fr Bob and his family.
Gloria Rivera
March 3, 2015
It is with sadness that I read today of the passing of Fr. Bob. I had wanted to give to him a memorial of his friend, Maria, who passed sway this week.
Although, theologically, Fr. Bob and I disagreed, I enjoyed the times we had dinner together and shared a conversation. He was a man of many interests and a keen knowledge on a wide range of topics. I admired his tenacity in wanting to return to the Seattle area.
Blessings to him and his family and Godspeed. I am sure you and Maria will have a marvelous reunion.
Mike Petrik
January 1, 2015
Brother Tomkins was a wonderful and dedicated teacher. Grant him eternal rest, O Lord.
Donald McGovern, cfc
December 28, 2014
Bob is remembered in the prayers of the Christian Brothers. His years of dedicated service to the Christian Brothers and to the Catholic education of youth bear testimony to his love of Christ and the Church.
T
December 27, 2014
He was a wonderful priest, had the pleasure of hearing him say mass and my mother and I missed him terribly after he left our church, may he rest in peace.
Ed Sinclair
December 27, 2014
As a teacher, he was articulate and adroit, expecting nothing but the best from us. I found I rather enjoyed my post graduation encounters with him. He was always genuinely interested in his former O'Dea students. And I believe he really loved his "second vocation" as a priest. God rest his soul.
michael grow
December 27, 2014
Rest in peace Brother Bob. Respectfully, mike grow
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