Obituary of Robert Christopher Merow

Robert C. Merow, 67, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, August 6, 2021 after a three-year battle with brain cancer. Bob was born in Grafton, West Virginia on October 6, 1953. He is the son of the late Dr. William W. Merow and Florence L. Merow. He moved to Morgantown at a young age where his father helped establish the WVU Department of Orthodontics. Bob attended Morgantown High School and went on to receive a degree in Landscape Architecture from West Virginia University. Bob moved to Los Angeles for a few years to work as an architect following college graduation. After he returned to Morgantown, he began working at WVU in Facilities Planning. During his 33 years at WVU, Bob contributed to the design of several iconic buildings on the WVU campuses, including the Mountainlair, Mountaineer Field, the Student Recreation Center, Erickson Alumni Center, the College of Law and many more. He was a generous employee and very hard worker, retiring in 2015. Bob was a former trustee for Spruce Street United Methodist Church. He was also a member of Main Street Morgantown for several years, as well as the Morgantown Art Association and the West Virginia Botanic Garden. He was a faithful follower of the Great Love Family Outreach Ministries and Pastor Junius Lewis. Bob is survived by his wife, Jan (Weber) Merow and daughter, Julie and son-in-law, Nelson McKown. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Marie Merow of Myrtle Beach, SC; sister-in-law and companion, Brenda Hutchins and Jere Jeter of Nashville, TN; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Keith Carr of Morgantown and several nieces and nephews. Bob and his wife owned and operated Woodburn Rentals in Morgantown for 38 years before selling the business in 2019. After Bob was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, in August 2018, he continued to enjoy time with friends, travel with his wife, and showcase his paintings with the Morgantown Art Association until recently. Bob was a wonderful husband and father and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Bob's memory to WVU Cancer Institute, Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 9300, Morgantown, WV 26506-9300. Checks should be made payable to the WVU Foundation, Inc., including Bob's name on the memo line. Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce Street, Morgantown, on Saturday, October 16, 2021 from 1 p.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 2 p.m. with Pastor Junius Lewis officiating. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com