Robert Graves Tetrick

Robert Graves "Rob" Tetrick, 73, of Westernport passed away following a brief illness on July 19, 2025 at home, in the presence of his wife, Kathy and sister-in-law, Jackie.

Born in Jefferson City, Missouri on November 30, 1951, he was the son of the late Walter and Helen (Graves) Tetrick. He was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Maxine Murphy; and sister-in-law, Doris Tetrick.

Rob is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Kathryn Murphy; his sons, Brian Tetrick and wife Jennie of Baltimore, and Matthew Tetrick and wife Nicole of Dover, DE; and his grandchildren, Cecilia, Rowan and Theodore. Rob is also survived by his siblings, James Tetrick of Keyser, WV, and Judy Layman and husband Larry of Keyser, WV; his brother-in-law, Dr. Patrick Murphy and wife Jacqueline "Jackie" Murphy of Doylestown, PA; sister-in-law, Wendy Murphy and partner James Sherman of Shenandoah Junction, WV; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rob moved to Keyser, WV with his parents when his father purchased the Mineral Daily News Tribune in 1959. He was a 1970 graduate of Keyser High School and at one point was a foreign exchange student in Austria. He attended Davis & Elkins College and earned a degree in Journalism from West Virginia University in 1974. Following graduation, he worked at Dover Litho before joining his parents at the family business. While working at the Mineral Daily News Tribune, he was a reporter, photographer, advertising manager, and covered the local high school sports. Rob was the go-to person to maintain the IT system, but he also wore many hats at the newspaper. It was at the newspaper office where he met his wife, Kathy. Rob and Kathy would be celebrating their 25th anniversary this year on August 5th. After retiring from the newspaper, Rob was a rural route carrier for USPS. He learned all of the routes in the Rawlings, Westernport and Lonaconing area.

Rob and Kathy loved to travel to Ireland. Taking five trips, they were able to visit all of the counties in the Republic of Ireland. Their trips included family members, sons, Brian and Matthew, and John Gowans. Rob always did the driving. He handled driving on the left side of the road and maneuvering a stick shift sitting on the right side of the car very well. Being a fan of the Andy Griffith Show, he and Kathy travelled to Mt. Airy, NC, also known as Mayberry twice. One trip included meeting Andy and other cast members.

Rob was a member of the Westernport Church of the Brethren. He drove the bus picking up children for Sunday school for many years. He was a member of the WV Press Association, and a member of the Blackhawk Tribe #131 I.O.R.M. Rob was an avid runner and was often seen running on "the Rock". He was most proud that he has racked up over 5,000 miles on his treadmill. Rob enjoyed fishing and boating on the South Branch with his sons and friends. Rob and his sons went on many Trough trips. A sports fan, Rob proudly supported the WVU Mountaineers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates. Rob was the co-founder of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club Chapter "Murphy's House of the Nine Flavors."

Friends will be received at the Boal Memorial Chapel, Barton on Friday, July 25th from 3 to 7 p.m.

A memorial service will take place at the Westernport Church of the Brethren on Saturday, July 26th at 3:00 p.m. Rob being a WVU and Pittsburgh fan, friends are encouraged to wear their blue and gold or black and gold in honor him.

Inurnment at Philos Cemetery will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Westernport Church of the Brethren.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the medical staff at UPMC, Hospice, ICU, and the High Level Care Team.