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Robert Rumburg Missing Person Case

Last seen in Haleiwa, Hawaii on Nov 16, 2011

Victim Details

Apr 28, 2020

Jul 7, 2023

Robert

Rumburg

65

51

72 inches

175 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Nov 16, 2011

Haleiwa

Hawaii

Honolulu County

96712

No

81725

Honolulu Police Department

Honolulu

Hawaii

Honolulu County

96813

Michael Garcia

Detective

801 South Beretania Street, Hawaii

8085293111

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.honolulupd.org

11-417320

Nov 16, 2011

Honolulu Police Department

8466

Brown

Blue

Blue

No

Oct 15, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP68609) and 10 other sources
In November of 2011, a 51-year-old man from Arvada, Colorado named Robert Rumburg, was enjoying a vacation in the beautiful state of Hawaii. He was staying with a friend in the Sunset Beach area of Oahu. On Wednesday, November 16, 2011, concern grew when Robert failed to appear for a dinner engagement with the woman he was staying with. This was uncharacteristic of him and immediately raised alarms. His friend returned home to find all of his personal belongings, including his suitcase and rental car, still at the residence. However, she noticed that one of her surfboards was missing, leading to the immediate suspicion that he may have gone into the water. The authorities were promptly contacted, and the search for Robert began that day.

The investigation into Robert's disappearance focused heavily on the possibility of a surfing accident. Although he was known to be an experienced swimmer, his experience with surfing was considered limited. The North Shore of Oahu is famous for its powerful waves, but on the day he went missing, local surfers described the conditions as unusually calm, with 'glassy, smooth waters.' This detail added a layer of complexity to the situation, making it harder to understand how he could have gotten into trouble. The day after he was reported missing, a significant clue surfaced when residents near Rocky Point found the surfboard he was believed to have been using and brought it to shore. It was discovered a considerable distance offshore. This discovery prompted an extensive search and rescue operation.

Over the next several days, a massive search effort was undertaken by the Coast Guard, Honolulu Fire Department, and local police. The search encompassed over a thousand square miles of the ocean, extending 20 miles out to sea, and included air, land, and sea-based searches. Despite these exhaustive efforts, there was no sign of Robert. Authorities considered various possibilities for his disappearance, including health-related issues or a potential encounter with marine predators. While foul play was not officially suspected by the Coast Guard, some who knew Robert felt that the circumstances surrounding his disappearance were unsettling. The search was eventually suspended, and despite the passage of time, Robert Rumburg has never been found. His case remains a painful mystery for his family and friends, a story of a vacation that ended in inexplicable loss. The official theory remains that he was involved in a surfing accident, but without his recovery, the exact events of that day on the North Shore remain unknown.
Last Seen: Nov 16, 2011

Links to Additional Sources (10)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Parents of missing tourist issue statement after fruitless searches end
  • Search continues for man believed to be in North Shore waters
  • Search resumes for missing surfer on North Shore
  • Search suspended for missing man off North Shore
  • Missing People In America - Facebook
  • Arvada Man Goes Missing In Hawaii
  • Robert Rumburg went missing... - Missing People In America
  • Ongoing search for tourist missing off Oahu beach - The Denver Post
  • Ongoing search for tourist missing off Oahu beach
  • Robert Rumburg Historia rodziny i zapisy historyczne - MyHeritage

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    78%Possible
    John Doe — Honolulu, Hawaii - unidentified case UP15422
    John Doe — Honolulu, Hawaii
    UP15422 • Found Jun 8, 2016
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–49 vs 50–51 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%29 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%165 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Hey everyone, I've been following the Robert Rumburg case from 2011, and one thing that's been on my... ...Read More
    01/05/2023

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