Tompkins grew up in Millbrook and graduated from Millbrook High School. He was kayaking with five others in Chile when strong waves capsized his boat. Tompkins died in an area hospital due to complications from hypothermia, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported.
Tompkins helped found The North Face in 1964. He left the company in 1969 to pursue adventure film making.
Tompkins started the Esprit clothing in 1968 with his wife Suzie. He later sold his interest in the company and moved to Chile and concentrated his efforts on land conservation and other environmental causes.
Click here to read the Poughkeepsie Journal story.
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