Robert Vampotic

Robert Walter Vampotic, passed away on August 31st, age 77, Born in 1947 in Buffalo, NY to Harry Walter Vampotic and June McMaster Vampotic, he leaves a legacy of integrity, honor, intelligence and dry wit in the form of his children, Michael Vampotic and Stacey (Vampotic) Levinson. In addition, he leaves his broken hearted wife of 53 years, Karyn Rampell Vampotic, two beautiful granddaughters, Sophie and Cosette, his son in law, Marc Levinson, and daughter in law, Hilary Case, his brothers, Randy Vampotic and Ricky Vampotic and sisters in law, Rick Vampotic, his brother in law, Ed Rampell and his sister in law, Alma (Lebmar) Rampell, his nephew, Kenneth Vampotic, and niece, Stephanie (Vampotic) Bagne and nephew, Mitch Bagne.

Bob was raised in Buffalo, New York and met his wife at the University of Buffalo, after he initially flunked out of UB, was drafted, sent to Vietnam and then returned to finish a BA in history. Karyn was so impressed that he had a job and a car and was swept off her feet by this strong man. He had a vivid imagination and a rich inner life. Bob was an inveterate dog lover, often stopping to try to pick up strays by the roadside to his wife’s chagrin.

He retired from US Customs after teaching himself computer programming and moving from working the line as a Senior Inspector to programming for Customs and moved to the Tucson area in 1998, then Oro Valley, working at IT until his second retirement. While at Customs, his fellow inspectors appreciated his integrity and dry wit as well as his refusal to share gossip.
He enjoyed reading fantasy and science fiction, loved to travel and enjoyed taking his two Bouvier des Flandres on a road trip to “look for Sasquatch” in the woods, outfitting the dogs with orange jackets and GPS receivers.

Bob was intensely beloved by his family and his departure leaves a large void in their lives. His family hopes that wherever he is, he is finally learning how to surf. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, November 9th. If you’re a friend of the family, contact Karyn for details.
Donations may be made to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona in his honor. He would smile at that. That killer smile.