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Robert's mother, Arlene Savarese, said that he died of leukemia.
Savarese said her son saved his first life at just 10 years old, when he performed the Heimlich maneuver on his aunt.
"The rest of the path was set for him," Savarese said.
Robert went on to serve as a firefighter in the United States Air Force, helping to evacuate Afghanistan in 2021. Upon return to the U.S., he continued his work as a volunteer firefighter and as a paramedic for Robert Wood Johnson.
"With all the refugees that were brought to America from Afghanistan, Robert headed up the military base in NJ that welcomed everyone in," his mother said. "He was the one who set up the triage, homes, assistance and entry into our country.
"I met a young man in the airport recently. Somehow we talked about this guys coming to America from Afghanistan. He told me he was one of many thousands who MY son helped and treated him and his mother like royalties. He was extremely thankful for the opportunity and support he had received."
Condolences poured in on social media.
Robert is survived by his husband Christopher Noble; father and stepmother Robert J Conklin Jr. and Joanne Panzanno-Conklin; mother Arlene Savarese; sister Cherise Conklin; and niece Charlotte Bolton, and countless other loved ones.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Aug. 14 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Old Bridge Funeral Home in Old Bridge. A celebration of life will be held Thursday, Aug. 15 at the funeral home at 10 a.m.
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