Robert Richard Helms Jr.

Born in Boston on October 2, 1947, he came to Cape Cod in 1970 as a Surgery Tech in the Air Force Reserves at Otis Air Force Base. After his six month active duty was over, he and his wife, Lynette, settled in Cummaquid and he started his teaching career at Barnstable Vocational High School. When Cape Cod Regional Technical High School opened, he taught there for the rest of his career. He chaired the Social Studies Department and the Roberts Rules of Order Club. He was the girls basketball coach. He also did contract negotiations for the Teachers’ Union. Everywhere he went, you would hear, “Hey Mr. Helms, you were my favorite teacher”.

Bob and Lynette had three children, Megan Collyer, Rebecca Tambascia and Matthew Helms. He loved his sons-in-law, John Collyer and Anthony Tambascia and his daughter-in-law Tiffany Helms as his own. Their 7 grandchildren, Tyler, Julianna, and Kazimera Helms, Katie and Kristin Collyer, and Anthony and Caden Tambascia were the light of his life. He was blessed that his family all lived on Cape Cod. Over the years we built a house in Cummaquid, established and ran a Bed & Breakfast in Sandwich, lived in Barnstable Village, and finally Dennis Village.

Married for 57 years, Bob and Lynette were fortunate to travel the world from much of Europe to China, Egypt and Morocco, culminating in a family trip with kids and grandkids to Italy. He often commented on what a good and happy life he had. We were lucky to have had him, a loving father, son, husband, grandfather, teacher, mentor and coach. He was a riveting storyteller, a perpetual optimist, effortlessly amusing and tremendously caring to all he encountered.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 30th from 2 to 4 PM at The Aiden Cape Cod, 476 MA-28, West Yarmouth, MA.