Montauk Pioneer - November 21, 2008 - Huge Crowd For Bob's Memorial

The Memorial Service for Robert Charles Tuma was held at the Inlet Seafood Restaurant last Monday, November 10 at 2:00 p.m. Captain Bob Tuma as his friends called him, was loved by the whole Montauk Community-especially the fishing community. More than 300 friends and relatives came from near and far to pay respect to a man who lived his life to the fullest. Bob loved three things: his family, his job and Montauk.

When asked by Debbie Tuma, Bob's daughter, to take pictures of the service, I felt honored. I got to know Bob at the Montauk Senior Center from bringing my 98 years young Mom to lunch. Often, we sat together and talked about the latest news on the fishing industry.

Debbie, her sister Wendy Tuma Barnes with daughter Cahleigh greeted the guests as they walked in. A beautiful, picture collage of Captain Bob and his family, including his wife of 59 years, Sybil, and his charter boat "Dawn" was on display.

The Memorial Service took place on the second floor. Tables were replaced by many rows of chairs that faced the breathtaking view of Montauk Harbor. A huge screen was placed behind the podium to show the film "Legendary Boat Captains" produced and directed by Debbie. Flowers adorned the room.

Rev. Anne Stewart Miller from the Community Church, where Captain Bob was the longest active member since 1935, presided over the congregation. She compared Captain Bob as one of Jesus's disciples who served the community and became a beacon of light. Debbie Coen sang Bob's favorite songs "It is Well with My Soul" and "Amazing Grace" while Lydia Shaternik Burns accompanied her on the piano.

Several Montauk captains that have known Bob for a lifetime were asked to say a few words. They included: Captain Joe McBride of "My Mate," who spoke about how he met Bob 35 years ago. He admitted that he and the Captain did not always get along, but they both respected each other. He added, "Captaing Bob never had anything bad to say about anyone."

Captain Jack Passie of "Windy" said, "Bob was a character. If he didn't like something, he would tell it to your face."

Captain Mike Albronda recalled the day he heard Bob curse on the radio, something he has never done before. All the other captains knew that something must really be wrong. All of the sudden, 45 mph winds came out of nowhere making a 1-hour trip last 6 hours to get back to shore. "Because of Bob's warning on the radio, many lives were saved that day."

Captain Ken Bouse talked about meeting Bob in 1952. "For 27 years I was parked next to Bob at the dock known as Duryea's." He spoke about Bob's tuna tower and how Bob convinced him to buy it for his boat. Today the tower still stands and is known as the "Tuma, Tuna, Tower." He mentioned about Bob receiving the 1st Captain Award, an award given to retired boat captains at least 80 years of age. The irony is that Bob was not retired yet. Everyone got a chuckle out of that.

Carl Darenberg Jr., son of Captain Carl Darenberg Sr., of the "Fortunate" spoke about the friendship his father and Captain Bob shared.

When Wendy Tuma Barnes got up to speak, she reminisced about the good and difficult times she had growing up. She recalled, "My father, knowing I loved animals, would bring home baby ducks, raccoons, rabbits and horses for me to take care of. I remember sleighing on the golf course and building an igloo with him." She recalled how, as a teenager, she snuck out and got caught by her father, who dragged her back home from the beach.

Debbie Tuma spoke lovingly of her father's passion for his job in a place he loved so much. She left home to see the world only to return to Montauk after realizing the magic of its people who live in it. Debbie pointed out how different she and her father were. "He liked to get up early, I liked to sleep late. He planned his day, I did not."

She recalled a phone call the family received one day, when told that their father was eaten by a shark. The truth was his finger was cut off by a rope line. Debbie knew that her father was on borrowed time. Her great grandfather died at 52, her grandfather at 54, so 85 was considered long for the Tuma men.

When asked if anyone else wanted to talk, Stuart Vorpahl from East Hampton said a few words. Vorpahl knew Bob for 58 years. "My only regret is not taking lessons from Captain Bob's knowledge of fishing." he said.

The documentary clip on Captain Bob Tuma followed, showing Bob driving his boat "Dawn" around Montauk Point. He talked about trying to rescue "The Pelican" on Labor Day weekend in 1951 and why he loved fishing.

The song "My Way" another of Bob's favorite was sung by Matt Cossentino to end the service. It was a fitting song for someone who did it "his way." Captain Bob Tuma died peacefully in his home at the age of 85 on November 1, 2008. He would have been 86 this Christmas Eve. Captain Bob was cremated and his ashes will be interred at Fort Hill Cemetery in Montauk with another burial at sea at a later date.