Robert Michael "Robbie" Bookstaver

Robert Michael "Robbie" Bookstaver, 68, of Summerville, South Carolina, took his final bow on Saturday, February 1, 2025, in Durham, North Carolina. Though his body has left this world, his spirit - bold, unyielding, and filled with laughter - remains forever woven into the lives he touched.

Born on November 7, 1956, in Rockville Centre, New York, Robbie was the beloved son of the late Clifford Decker and Agnes Marie (Entstrasser) Bookstaver. A Long Island native through and through, he carried the grit and heart of New York in every step of his journey. In 2021, he and his wife set out for new horizons in Little River, South Carolina, before planting roots in Summerville last spring. Though locations changed, one thing never did - Robbie's unwavering devotion to his family, friends, and the joy of a well-lived life.

A force of nature, Robbie began his career in the trucking industry, a world of steel and asphalt, but fate had other plans. A life-altering illness in 2000 steered him down an unexpected road - one paved with passion, flavor, and the artistry of a self-taught chef. With the precision of a craftsman and the heart of a host, he built Broccoli Rob's in Massapequa, where the scents of his creations lingered long after the last bite. Weddings, family gatherings, milestone celebrations - his food wasn't just nourishment; it was a love language, a legacy plated with care.

Robbie was larger than life - a giver, a storyteller, a man who could turn an ordinary moment into an unforgettable memory. His laughter was infectious, his humor razor-sharp. He lived with nine lives worth of adventures, dodging fate's curveballs with resilience and a smirk. A New York sports loyalist at heart, he had the audacity to flirt with the New England Patriots - because if nothing else, Robbie loved keeping people on their toes.

Preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Agnes Bookstaver; his late wife, Lori Murtha; his brother, Russell Bookstaver; and his niece, Megan Bookstaver, Robbie now reunites with them, no doubt bringing laughter to the heavens.

His spirit lives on in those who loved him most: his devoted wife, Theresa Anne (Hainas) Bookstaver; his two sons, OB (Jess) and Brian (Nicole); his brother, Raymond (Lori); and his treasured grandsons, Emmett Marte and Mason Bookstaver. He leaves behind an extended family and a network of friends who will forever feel the echo of his presence.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate his remarkable life at a visitation on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 869 St. James Avenue, Summerville, SC 29445.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 510 St. James Avenue, Goose Creek, SC 29445.

Following the service, Robbie will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Robbie in a way that truly speaks to his essence-whether through a shared meal, a hearty laugh, or an act of generosity in his memory.

Condolences and memories may be shared online at mcalister-smith.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - Goose Creek, 869 St. James Avenue, Goose Creek, SC 29445, 843-553-1511.