Harold “Floss” L. Tompkin, Sr.
Harold “Floss” L. Tompkin, Sr.
Feb. 17, 1926 – Feb. 20, 2019
Harold “Floss” Leo Tompkin, Sr., 93, passed away from this Earth into the presence of his beloved Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Feb. 20, 2019, in Lincoln. The eldest of nine children, he was born Feb. 17, 1926, to Leonard E. and Sarah Matthews (Ball) Tompkin in Eddyville. He was raised in Callaway and graduated from Callaway High School in 1944. At the age of 18 months, he had infantile paralysis (poliomyelitis) which left his right leg short.
He studied architecture at Chicago Technical College in Chicago, Illinios, and at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He was a multi-talented architectural designer/long-term care consultant/entertainer.
On Easter in 1952, he married LaVerne Myra Schuknecht, and they enjoyed 52 years together before her death. Together, they had five children, three daughters and two sons, as well as four grandchildren.
In 1951, Harold was hired as an engineering draftsman for the U.S. Geological Survey in Lincoln. In 1956, he established the home design firm Homes for Convenient Living. The same year, he was awarded first place for his working drawings in the Nebraska General Contractors’ Contest. The firm merged into a new business, Lumberman Plan Service, providing design service to Nebraska lumber yards. In 1959, Harold joined in a partnership with an architect and the plan service was sold to employees. In 1963, the partnership was discontinued and Harold became employed with Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society as a design consultant and regional director, later being promoted to design consultant and administration assistant and moving to the central office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
In 1968 he established a health care planning and consulting firm and in 1971 moved the firm to Lincoln. Harold loved children and in 1973 established Kid Stuff and Other Things, a mini theme park on wheels to entertain children at school fun nights and company picnics. He gave many youth their first employment. This company was sold in 1990. In his 48 years of labor, he always had custom design residencies on the drawing board. Harold’s last job from 2005 to 2014 was working at the Independence House where he enjoyed reading mail to Alzheimer residents.
He was active in family genealogy, completing two family genealogy studies. He was a member of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society, Botna Valley Genealogical Society and Harrison County Genealogical Society. In 1995, he organized a Tompkin family reunion, the first in 100 years. The past 10 years, he organized a reunion of his high school class. He was also in the process of writing his life history for his grandchildren. Harold loved flowers and shared them with others.
Harold served on many boards of directors, including Lutheran Family Services (1959-1965), People’s City Mission (1970s), Southern Nebraska District-Lutheran Social Ministry (1962-1965), South Dakota District Lutheran Layman’s League (1968-1971) and Lutheran Senior Services of Nebraska Inc. (1998-2002).
He served over 40 years as an officer or committee member of his church. He was chairperson of the Mayor’s Site Selection Committee for the new People's City Mission and committee member of the 1965 International Lutheran Layman’s League Convention in Lincoln. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, Nebraska Polio Survivors Association, Men’s Alzheimer’s Association Support Group, Monday Night Alzheimer’s Association Support Group, Independence House Alzheimer’s Support Group, AARP, Plus 55, Bryan Cardiac Rehab, LR 179 Assisted Living Task Force, Alzheimer’s Association public policies counsel and Alzheimer’s Speaker’s Bureau. In 1976 he was listed in Who’s Who in Nebraska. Harold loved reading the newspaper, putting puzzles together and Husker football, volleyball and basketball games.
He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVerne M. Tompkin in 2005; his parents; three brothers; and four sisters.
Harold is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Harold Leo, Jr. “Harry” and wife Lisa of Lincoln, Steven Robert and wife Vicky of St. Charles, Missouri; daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca Lynn and husband Morey Cade of Parkville, Missouri; daughters, Trudy Jan of Des Moines, Iowa, and Rachel Marie of Lincoln; four grandchildren, Travis, Austin, Jared and Morgan; brother, Clifford D. “Toy” Tompkin of Lincoln; brother-in-law, Bobby Beisel of Funk; sister-in-law, Shirley Schuknecht of Lincoln; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held Feb. 25, 2019, at Faith Lutheran Church in Lincoln. A graveside service and interment were in Lincoln Memorial Park cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tompkin family for future designation. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
