Roslyn Tompkins
February 12, 1935 ~ September 9, 2007
Roslyn “Ross” Lee Tompkins, 72, of Aberdeen and formerly of Gettysburg, passed away Sunday, September 9, 2007 at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen from complications of lung cancer.
Funeral services were held at 11:00a.m., Friday, September 14,2007 at North Highland Methodist Church in Aberdeen with Pastor Marie Lanzilla officiating. Burial was in the Gettysburg Cemetery at 3:30p.m. Friday, September 14, with military honors. Arrangements were entrusted to Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg.
Roslyn Lee Tompkins was born February 12, 1935 to Lawrence and Winetta (Rauhut) Tompkins in Coats, Kansas. He attended grade school at Pratt, KS before the family moved to South Dakota where Ross graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1953.
In January 1955 Ross enlisted in the United States Air Force. He married Darlene “Dode” Moore on August 19, 1955 while stationed at Cheyenne, WY. Ross was assigned for two years to Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany before being called home by the tragic death of his father. He served the remainder of his enlistment at the Radar Base Station in Gettysburg, while helping his mother on the farm.
Following his honorable discharge Ross attended one year of college at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell. He purchased his first gas truck in 1959 which was the beginning of Tompkins Trucking. In 1975, he sold his trucking business and accepted a job with Cenex Transportation, moving his family to Aberdeen. Ross retired in 1990.
He and Dode began traveling, spending winters in Texas, California, Florida and Arizona but always making sure they spent at least six months in South Dakota to maintain their wellbeing. Ross had a great love for family, friends, playing pool and anything with wheels. He also enjoyed every minute he could visit and have a cup of coffee with his trucking buddies.
Ross will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Left to cherish his life are his wife: Darlene “Dode” of Aberdeen; six children: LeAnn (Monte) Sievers of Gettysburg, Julie (Don) Bowyer of Escondido, CA, Kathy (D.G.) Kell of Murdo, Larry (Jackie) Tompkins of Sedona, AZ, Tracy Berg of Aberdeen and Rick (Tina) Tompkins of Crestview, FL; 14 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; sister: Jean Kilian of Gettysburg; sister-in-law: Joan (Bill) Urton of Grove, OK; uncle: Raymond (Monica) Rauhut of Coats, KS and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
His parents and two grandsons preceded him in death.
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LeAnn,
Our sympathy to you and your family! We’re just so sorry.
I called Laurie Torbert yesterday and told her.
Praying for you and loving you!
Cheryl & Paul
Tompkins family,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Melvin and Lana
Tracy and Family,
Sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this diffcult time. Tracy we are here for you, let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Love,
Michelle, Alvin and Andrew
Kathy & LeAnn:
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. My sympathies and prayers are with you and your family.
Jeff Bohnenkamp
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Darlene and your family at this sad time.
Marino will really miss his time with Ross,in Arizona, shooting pool and kibitzing around.
Ross and I were at the 903rd in the USAF. When we were discharged, we both attended Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell. Our simpacy to Dode and the family. Don and Lila Brown
Sorry we will be unable to be with you at this time. Wonderful that you have all your family with you. Love.
Darlene and Family – I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have fond memories of working with you, Darlene, at The Twist Cone! Take care – Becky Jo
Darlene and family,
We are so sorry to hear about Ross. Our sympathy to each of you. May our wonderful God give you the comfort you need at this special time of loss in your family.
Barbara and Allen Burnham
Darlene,
We are so sorry. We pray that you and your family will find comfort in your faith,and in your strong ties with each other.
Both of us remember Ross as a true gentleman, who always greeted us with a smile.
Sincerely
Alan and Lynne Stone
Dode and the Tompkins “Tribe”. I am so, so sorry for your loss. You are constantly in my thoughts. My heart breaks for you but also glad Dad is in a better place. “Look out Ross, here it comes”. I will miss that. 🙂 Lots of love and hugs to all, Jude
Dode, Leann, and family:
They say the most treasured heirlooms are the sweet memories of the family. I am sure you have wonderful memories of your loved one. Our thoughts are with you.
Howard and Gail
Tracy, I was so sorry to hear about your father. Losing a loved one is always a very trying time, but the love of friends and family and the memories of your father will in time ease the pain of your loss. I hope for you and your family that the ‘father of tender mercies and the God of comfort’ (2 corinthians 1:3,4)brings you peace and strength in your time of sadness. My sincere condolences, Lori Pulling
We were shocked and saddened to hear about Ross passing. We extend to you our condolences and sympathy. We thank God that you have God to lean on during this time and pray that He will comfort, uphold you and put His loving arms around you.
Our Bible study group will be keeping you in our prayers.
Dear Julie,
I’m am so truly sorry to hear about the loss of your dear father. As someone who recently suffered the loss of my father, I know what you are going through and I send you my deepest sympathies. My best to you and your family during this difficult time.
Dode, Julie and family:
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Rossy. When I got the call from mom I couldn’t believe it. I have many fond memories of him when we were growing up and spending time at each others houses. Know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Cherish the memories you have and know that he will always be with you. Julie you can call me anytime.
Kris (Scheller) Jordan
Julie & Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family right.
May the memories of him that you share be with you now in your time of need.
Sincerely,
Lindsay Kay
Julie, my heart goes out to you and your family. Thank you for sharing so many wonderful pictures with us. God’s blessings on you and your family now and always.
Love you!
Adelina.
Julie I am so sorry for your loss. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers. Thank you for sharing your beautiful ?memories of your father with us. He looked like a great man with a wonderful family. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you or your family.
Please send my condolences to your entire family. Debbie Parker
Dode, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Ross was a very good man. I always enjoyed visiting with him when I had a chance. He will be missed by a lot of people.
God Bless you and your family
You don’t know me but I am one of your granddaughter’s (Lindsey) teachers at Crestview High School. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. May God bless you and keep you always.
Tompkins family: We Moores (Tom, Cheri, Tari, John and Dirk) were all saddened to hear about your dad’s passing. He was a good, solid man who raised a wonderful family.