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Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Entrepreneur, Classic Car Mechanic, Community Volunteer and Faithful Friend, Robert “Bob” Tamplin peacefully passed away on April 4, 2026 surrounded by loving family.
Born June 2, 1938 in Detroit Mi., Bob grew up with one brother and two sisters.
Mechanics and engineering came naturally to Bob. From a young age, he spent many years in his father’s tool business in Hazel Park. He worked on car engines for many years, eventually building engines for race cars.
He met Shirley in 1956 on a blind date and they were married in 1960.
In 1970, the Tamplins moved “up north” Michigan and built a home and a life on Sage Lake. With a friend and partner, they created a successful business building and selling water paddleboats. Bob enjoyed summers on the lake, boating and watching his family grow up, and making many friends. Bob became a member on the Hill Township Board and served for 19 years.
During the winter, Bob and Shirley went to Texas and volunteered at the N. Padre Island National Seashore Park for many years.
Bob was an avid vintage car enthusiast. After retirement he became a member of the Au Sable Valley Model A Club and Rod & Relics of West Branch, MI. He owned three vintage vehicles himself: A 1930 Model A pick-up, a 1936 Ford sedan and a 1950 Olds ’88 sedan. Bob spent many hours ‘under the hood’ maintaining his collection, loving the simple mechanics of that era. Bob and Shirley enjoyed the passion and comradery of car club members and participated in many car “cruises” and shows.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents (John and Margaret Tamplin), and leaves behind his wife (Shirley), brother (Steven Tamplin), 3 children Nancy (Gilbert) Poinsot, Gail Wasserman and Stephen (Kate) Tamplin; five grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, as well as many, many dear friends.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 23 at the Fred Dickey Funeral Home in Lorado TX.
In lieu of flowers, denotations will be accepted at FISH Thrift Store, 205 E. Main St, Hale, MI.
