Robert Sampson, (1965 - 2017) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

No one is actually gone until the ripples they caused in the world fade away.

51 years old
Born on June 7, 1965
Passed away on May 23, 2017 in Tampa, Florida, United States

Taken from us much too soon, Robert "Bobby" Sampson will be dearly missed and fondly remembered forever.

He hated funerals, so in pure Bobby style we will be honoring him with a celebration of his life. (And there was MUCH to celebrate.)

The event will take place in Tampa, Florida on Friday, May 26th 2017 from 5-9pm.

All friends and family are welcome. Food and beverages will be provided. We know there will be some tears of sadness, but we also hope to smile, laugh, and remember all the wonderfulness of Bobby and the joy he gave to the the world and those who loved him.

Location: The Plaza on Harbour Island. 450 Knights Run Avenue, Tampa FL, 33602.

For out of town guests:

The closest airport is Tampa International (TPA)

Hotels within walking distance (click title of hotel for website)...

The Westin Harbour Island (5 min walk)
725 S. Harbour Island Blvd. 33602

Marriott Waterside (10 min walk)
700 S. Florida Ave. 33602

For those unable to attend, you can still be part of the celebration by sending Bobby a message or prayer. Messages may be posted here as Tribute or Story, or email them to: bsampson@elitediverse.com

We will print all messages on organic paper made from sugarcane, and then on Saturday morning, those printed words and wishes will be taken to the beach by his family so that they can forever be part of the ocean, as will some of his ashes in the near future. The ripple effects of his life will live on forever, so we feel this is a beautiful way to give him a loving send-off as he embarks on his next great adventure.

Tributes

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May 23, 2021

Thinking about Bob today. His last text a day before he passed away " Good Luck and Have Fun " is all over my office reminding me of him everyday. Still miss his calls, laughter and challenges he will give me and tell me to go get it done.

July 3, 2017

I am just finding out that my Cousin passed away. He was only a year older than me. Us kids lived with our grandmother and Bobby and Billy would come in the summer to visit grandma in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania. I remember when his kids were born, I remember the wedding gift towels that Aunt Marian said would like nice for Charlotte and His wedding. I just can't believe it. Lance and Ashley 1st your grandma then your grandpa Sampson now your Father. God Bless you kids. He was too young,. Yvonne Rose Stine.

June 7, 2017

Happy Birthday Bob! We miss you dearly. Each day at work I know you are watching over me as a big brother would. Never before had I thought about how much your regular advice and challenges meant to us. We will be all wearing "What would Bob Do?" bands soon ( John's team idea). That's what I ask myself now.

May 26, 2017

"I had the extreme pleasure of knowing Bob for approximately 20 years. From the first time I met him (I interviewed him for a Regional Manager position in the Philadelphia area), I knew he was a special person. There was no doubt in my mind that he would go on to have a great life and career, as he was filled with passion for his family, friends, and his business environment. I believe some others have mentioned his hearty laugh and infectious smile - just a couple of his distinctive trademarks. Because the home delivery environment is such a small world, we crossed paths frequently from the time he left our first association together at Merchants Home Delivery. As he climbed the career ladder elsewhere, I can honestly say that his positive approach to life and business never wavered. We worked together on several successful projects while being employed with different companies. When Bob was involved - I knew we were destined to succeed!!! Just recently, I was lucky enough to get involved again with him on another business project. For me personally, I feel like he opened the door to further long term relationships and successes. He will continue to guide our trials and tribulations from Heaven, and help us all to be better people. Rest in peace, my friend."

May 26, 2017

I had only met Bobby one time under what were very awkward circumstances. But after meeting him and shaking his hand I realized that he was someone who probably would've been a good friend of mine. Rest in peace Bobby.
You will be missed.

May 25, 2017

I had the pleasure of working with Bobby early in my career in Langhorne PA, and recently with Diverse. Bobby was a great guy to work with and know and he will be missed. Goodbye my friend.

May 25, 2017

My connection with Bob was instantaneous back in 2005. Our shared passion for something better in our industry was the driving force to our connection and throughout the years our business relationship formed into a greater friendship. Bob had tremendous loyalty to his family, his family and his Christian faith. From an early sleeper to an early riser you could always count on him for guidance and/or support as he was willing to give everything he had to make things better. I am blessed to have known him, and I am better because of him. To Ashley and Lance, he loved you...He loved talking about you....and he loved being your Dad.

May 25, 2017

When I started my career 5 years ago in 2012, I was called into Bob's (this is when we knew him as Bob) office. I thought I was going to be in trouble, yet I didn't know for what as I had thought I had been doing a great job for the couple of months that I had been with that company at the time. Bob told me that he thought I was too smart to be in my current position and that I had too much drive to be in this position much longer. He then asked me if I would be willing to relocate to Baltimore, to take a young leadership role and train with some of the best in the business.

Bob gave me 2 more promotions within 2 years of working with him. He also gave me great lessons in this industry and in business. He taught me a lot of what has lead to my success. His vision was always clear and you always knew what his expectation was. You never wanted to let him down, and you knew that you wanted to make him proud as a leader. People work hard for great leaders, and Bobby was an incredible leader, one of the best.

Without him seeing what he saw in me, I would not be where I am today. Others by effect, would not be where they are either. I will continue to live and lead with Bobby in mind and will pay it forward when I have the opportunity as Bobby did for me.

Goodbye Bobby.

P.S. I will continue to only drink high quality lemon flavored iced tea. Only Snapple, not Lipton.

May 25, 2017

Bob was for me a very nice gentleman, human being and a very nice person, always very friendly and respectful, I will always will remember when every afternoon he says to me:"Hasta manana Senorita" As I coordinate the room for his meetings, we talked and laughed all the times.He will be missed because he was loved for all of us in our office.

May 25, 2017

It was 1990 when I met Bob. I was hired as Branch Manager at Marlo
Furniture. Bob was already there working as Merchandise Manager. It didn't take long to realize this thin, young man with a great attitude, constant smile and great laugh was a definite asset to the organization.
A short time later Bob was promoted to Operations Manager, the second in command of a multi-million dollar retail operation. We became close friends and worked togeather at Marlo for the next two years.

I moved on from Marlo and took a position at Merchants Home Delivery. My responsibility was to start up and manage a Sears home delivery account in Gaithersburg Maryland. The first position I needed to fill was one that required a loyal, dedicated, hard working, honest assistant manager so of course, I called my dear friend a colleague Bob Sampson. I always believed when building a strong team you first hire good people. Not just people that are good at work but people that are good at life. I've never been associated with a better person than Bob. Needless to say, I was thrilled that Bob was up for the challenge and accepted the position. We worked on that account for the next couple of years until Merchants upper management like other companies before and after, recognized all of the many talents that Bob had to offer and promoted him to more challenging assignments. As always he was a great success.

After several more years at Merchants, I once again moved on. This time to Purnell Furniture Services as Operations Manager. Well, it didn't take long to realize the need for a top notch manager so once again I called on Bob. Because of his past successes, I didn't think I had much of a shot to coax him to join this small but growing company but to my surprise and excitement, Bob agreed to locate his family to Virginia and take on the challenge. What a benefit it turned out for Purnell and other clients of Purnell.

And now 27 years later I am shocked and saddened by his passing. And I am saddened for his children Ashley and Lance and his entire family. I am blessed and forever grateful to have known Bob Sampson

Rest in peace, my dear friend. I cherish every minute I ever spent with you.

May 25, 2017

Bob blew me away on a daily basis with his strong attention to detail to business. He truly lived for it. Very passionate on a personal and professional level. He was so full of life more than anyone else. He will be strongly missed but never forgotten. He was a brother to everyone including myself. Till we meet again Bob.Godd bless!

May 25, 2017

Bobby took me under his wing and always encouraged me to do better to be better not just professionally but also in my personal life. I was blessed to spend time with him ..we spoke daily. Last year on a road trip thru SC and NC and this month in Albany NY, we had a great time, he shared so many stories. I miss not getting his calls, texts, it will not be easy but I know he will always have my back..he always did. I will treasure every email/ txt / conversation. He will always answer the phone and say " Hi Cesar, How's my favorite Choco!!" and will always say " I love you brother". He had a great outlook in life and was super hyped of everything coming up...definitely taken to soon and he has left a great empty space in my life...I will miss you my dear boss/mentor but overall my friend..until we meet again. CChoco

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Recent Tributes

May 23, 2021

July 3, 2017

June 7, 2017

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Gallery

Bob's Celebration of Life: photos of family and friends

Bob's Celebration of Life: his high school graduation photo and a family photo

Bob's Celebration of Life: his grandmother

Bobby & Kevin in younger days being "super sexy."

Bob's Celebration of Life- Of course, Snapple was served in his honor.

Bob's Celebration of Life: His mother and father

View all 48 items

Saxaphone

July 3, 2017

He was Grandpa Rose's favorite grandson, you know why because they both loved the Steelers. Oh when he come to visit grandpa that is the first thing they talk about the Steelers of course back than it was Superbowl Championship. I remember when him and Charlotte got married, I ask my Aunt Marian what should I get them, well she say Towels are nice, I said alright what about colors oh Aunt Marian had that downpat. Then I came to visit in Maryland, Bobby and Charlotte were coming for dinner. Now Bobby pulled me aside nobody knew this, he said Yvonne Please be nice at dinner. I remember when Ashley was born, I was like Ashley why a name like that.. He would say because when we come to Wilkes-Barre that would be the first thing we see Ashley, by the way is a old coal mining town. Did you guys know that he played the Saxaphone, yep he was good at it too.. As I didn't live near by but as cousins you know pretty much of everything when you are kids then you become adults and time passes you by... I still can't believe it, I am looking at all the tribute pictures and I cry, I see my Aunt Marian and Uncle Bill. There is a picture I guess of his wedding table and it has our grandparents and Aunt Kathleen, and Anthony and My daddy, that are all gone. The only left in the picture is our Aunt MaryAnn and Uncle Bobby who are still alive.. I feel so bad for Ashley and Lance to lose a dad at that young of age..

Happy Birthday Bobby

June 7, 2017

I seen you in a vision several days ago just standing there with a smile on your face. I know you are happy in heaven as that confirmed it for me much more. Its hard to believe you left so soon. You are missed and loved for eternity

You better start your own business!

May 26, 2017

"You better start your own business!" were the words Bobby spoke to me 10 years ago when I told him I was quitting my job. Since then he looked out for me like a big brother.

Bobby and I met 13 years ago when I was working at a location next to Bob's office in Manassas. I was new in the USA and working for a vendor he selected for uniforms, but Bob always made me feel like a part of his team from day one. He shared details of how and why my work is important. He inspired me to work harder and feel proud of the work I do.

We shared every aspect of life during our regular email communications and text messages about family, business and Steelers. He guided me along the path of life.

Your last email "Good Luck and Have Fun" to my fiance, Pindi and I will stay in our hearts forever. It was your last blessing to us. Thank you for being such a good friend, brother and loyal business associate. I will miss you dearly, Bobby Sampson.

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