Robert Thomas Westwood, 74, passed away Friday Feb. 19, 2021.
He was born Oct. 12, 1946, in Wheeling, to Felix Edward Westwood and Doris Esta (Fetty) Westwood.
Rob grew up in Kensington, Md. He loved sports and played football, basketball and track at Albert Einstein High School, from which he graduated in 1965. He is one of the founding members of Albert Einstein High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He is the only member to be inducted twice, once as an athlete and once as a founder.
Rob received a basketball scholarship to Bridgewater College in Virginia and Concord College in West Virginia. He was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity while at Concord, and continued those friendships throughout his life. Rob graduated in 1970 with a B.A. in history, political science and education. He was teaching junior high school in Leonardtown, Md., when he was drafted into the U.S. Army (Vietnam War) in 1970 and served until 1972. He played for the U.S. Army’s All Star basketball team.
Rob moved to Morgantown in 1972 where he attended graduate school at WVU, studying political science.
Rob continued to play basketball with the same group of friends in Morgantown well into his 50s.
Rob bought a piece of land outside of Morgantown on a handshake in 1978 and built his home. He started Westwood General Contracting in 1978 and continued his business until January of this year. He was married to Brenda Munson on March 20, 1982. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 39 years, his children, Rebecca (Brad) Bodkin, Amy (Chris) Harp and Robbie Westwood, his brother, Felix Westwood, of Woodbine, Md., and many cousins and friends. One of his greatest joys in life was being PopPop to Adaline, Aubree and Willie Thomas.
He loved his dogs and animals through the years. His favorite song was Tom T. Hall’s “(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine.”
Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown, from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26. There will be graveside service at Fairview Cemetery at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27.
Although guests are invited to come visit, it is required, per the Governor and CDC pandemic guidelines, that all visitors wear face masks and practice social distancing.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date for those who cannot attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local Disabled Veterans of America and the ASPCA.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
