Robert H. "Bobby" Tinkham

Robert H. “Bobby” Tinkham, 65, of Hubbard, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 18, 2022. He was born May 14, 1957 in Youngstown, the son of Gary and Barbara Tinkham. Bobby attended Mercersburg Academy and was a 1976 graduate of Liberty High School. He attended the Ohio State University for a year, and later completed the Bobby Isaac Motorsports Program at Catawba Valley Community College in the early 2000s. 

Racing was an important part of Bobby’s life. His passion began at age 12 when he attended his first race. After a few years, he was helping maintain a racecar that his father sponsored before jumpstarting his own racing career at Sharon Speedway at the age of 19. During his time at Sharon, he also attended several American Speed Association Series races as a crew member for Mark Martin before joining the ASA himself at age 24. He continued racing ASA until a motorcycle accident in 1982 halted his career. After a long recovery, he was able to continue his involvement in racing through ownership of R&B Engineering and later Volusia Performance in DeLand, Florida. In 1990, he decided to continue his racing career, running a few races here and there, but officially ended his career in 1992.

Aside from racing, Bobby also enjoyed constructing different projects, riding motorcycles, and spending time with his family, friends, and his dog, Duke. Bobby was also a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and recently celebrated 10 years sober. 

Besides his mother, Barbara Tinkham of Youngstown, OH, and father, Gary (Patty) Tinkham of Fort Myers, FL, Bobby also leaves behind a wife, Debby Tinkham of Hubbard, OH; a daughter, Nicole Tinkham of Columbia, SC; a sister, Cindi “Tyger” (George) Japuncha of Howland, OH; a niece, Heather Morris of Cortland, OH; a nephew, Charlie Morris of Warren, OH; and his many step-children, grandchildren, other relatives and friends. 
He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Carl and Ethyl Tinkham, and maternal grandparents, Eugene and Francis Hopper. 

Services celebrating the life of Bobby will be at noon on Tuesday, July 26 at Shriver-Allison-Courtley Funeral Home. Friends and family may pay their respects to Bobby on Monday, July 25, from 4 pm to 7 pm, and prior to the service on Tuesday from 11 am to 11:45 am at the funeral home. Burial will take place privately at Crown Hill Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bobby’s name to the Animal Charity Humane Society, 4140 Market Street Youngstown, Ohio 44512.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Shriver-Allison-Courtley-Weller-King Funeral Home. 
Friends and family may view this obituary and share memories and condolences at http://www.shriverallisoncourtleyfuneral home.com.

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