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Robert DRUM Obituary
Born in Germany, he lived in Hampton, Va., since 1966 before moving to Colorado in 1982. Robert was a graduate from Bethel High School and VA Tech. He loved being outdoors at his beautiful Colorado home. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Kathy.
He is survived by his parents Odell and Inga Drum of Hampton; sister, Susan Drum Corvello and husband, Scott and children, Brittani and Matthew Keller of Surry, Va.; brother, Rick Drum and wife, Kristy and children, Ashley, Rachel and Stevie of Suffolk; his nephew, Ryan Hudson of York County who he had a special love for.
Funeral services will be in Teller County, Colo.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to VA Tech Athletic Dept.
Ruhe in Frieden mein geliebter son. Deine Mutter und Vater! View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert DRUM
Randy 'Clyde' Chambers
April 18, 2023
I just saw this today, when thinking of Robert, and I googled him. My sincere condolences to the Drum family. I roomed with 'Ear', Chris Brevig 'Drake', and John Beveridge for a year. It was never a dull moment, and Robert was never at a loss for crazy ideas. I had the honor of spending Thanksgiving one year with the Drum family as a surprise guest. Thank you for your hospitality. Ear, you always made me laugh, I will always remember our college escapades with a smile. Goodbye my friend.
Randy 'Clyde' Chambers
Dan Hurley
September 19, 2021
Always remember Robert living across the hall from me at Virginia Tech with a warm smile every day. I was a distance runner but recall Robert bring an integral part of the track team as a weight man. Everybody loved Robert, he had a wide open heart. Condolences to the family
Mary Coble-Szemis
November 1, 2011
I was so saddened to hear of Robert's passing. My sincere condolences to his wife and family. Robert and I met at Va Tech. When I think of Robert, I remember his quick, mischievous smile that could brighten any gloomy day. He was always surrounded by a group of crazy friends, especially Chris. I always thought Robert and Chris were the original 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure' guys! 'Ear', as many of us fondly called him, was truly a gentle giant - he was such a sweet, kind person, and ready to help a friend in need. He will always have a special place in my heart.
Brevig and Drum at a Dollar photo booth in '78
Chris Brevig
October 14, 2010
Robert, Dan O'Connor and teammate at Virginia Tech 1977
Chris Brevig
October 14, 2010
Robert and Tommy in 1976
Chris Brevig
October 14, 2010
Rob at Hatteras in 1977
Chris Brevig
October 14, 2010
Robert on the Track at Virginia Tech
Chris Brevig
October 14, 2010
Robert in Hampton 1976
Chris Brevig
October 14, 2010
Jay,Tommy,Ray, & Robert
Chris Brevig
October 14, 2010
John Gamble and Robert at the '77 Florida Relays
Chris Brevig
October 14, 2010
Mike,Robert,Bigtime,Chuck & Debbie (1982)
Chris Brevig
October 14, 2010
Rob & Chris at the "Rude Boys" Matoaka House
Chris Brevig
October 14, 2010
Keith Neff
October 2, 2010
Robert was my roomate, track buddy and friend at Virginia Tech and after. We had so many wonderful times together that it would take pages and pages to mention all of them. We spent hours and hours talking and walking together through the growing up process. It was Robert who convinced me to go with him and learn to parachute. He jumped first with a hugh smile. I followed and we laughed and laughed when we both were back on the ground. Robert came out to Colorado after me and we got together way too seldom. I did speak with him on the phone about 4 months ago and he loved his life, family and electrical inspector position. Robert and I would laugh all the time during our college track trips. He was like that. Joyful, mysterious and deep in spirit. I'll cherish your memory Robert.
Todd Strickler
September 30, 2010
The Drum family was our next door neighbors on Hunt Club and Robert was my baby sitter and also a close friend. He taught me many of life’s lessons. Even though I was younger than Robert, he took me under his wing and allowed me to hang out with his circle of friends. He would take me to Sandy Bottoms swimming on the back of his motorcycle, hunting with slingshots, running, surfing and even parties when I got older. My condolences go out to his family, Mr. and Mrs. Drum who always invited me over for Saturday morning breakfast, Susie and Ricky who I also had great times with growing up and to his wife who I never had the pleasure of meeting. I can honestly say Robert was the biggest positive influence in my life. You will be missed!
John and Rose Marie Kostoff
September 29, 2010
We were saddened to hear about the unexpected passing of Robert. We did not know him personally, but his Mother Inga is a very good friend. We know he was a wonderful son to Inga and Odell because when we were together she often told us about Robert and Kathy. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family at this emotional time. All our love,
David Sage
September 29, 2010
I was sad to hear about the passing of Robert. I was also a member of the Tech track team. Although I have not seen "Ear" since those days I remember all the good times we had. We had some great times on track trips but one of things I remember most was going to watch him play the trombone with the Tech Jazz band. He was a multi talented guy along with being a great athlete. I knew it back then and I see that in all the commentaries from others that were close to Robert.
My prayers and thoughts are with his family.
David Sage VT 75/77
Sharon Olson
September 29, 2010
Robert, a very special man...fond memories of our family fun target shooting at the pond with Robert. Robert resued me several times on our road during snow storms and care troubles.
Robert will be remembered and missed very much.
Love
Sharon Olson and Family
JB Brown
September 28, 2010
I was shocked to hear of Robert's passing. Seems just like yesterday the new 185 pound weight man reported to practice at Virginia Tech. I was a distance runner so I did not spend a lot of time with Robert at practice, but he was a good teammate and was always there to cheer us on at meets. It was fun to see him throw the hammer against the weight giants. He proved technique was more important than brute strength.
He always seemed to be a happy and cheerful wtih something up his sleeve.
My thoughts are with his family.
Bob & Karol Scott
September 28, 2010
We met Kathy Drum several years before we met Robert. Kathy being our electrical supplier in the 1980's came into our office one day with pictures of an Alaskan fishing trip that they had just returned from. Here was her husband,Robert,smiling from ear to ear with what was the biggest trout we had ever seen.
Years later Robert Drum became the Teller County electrical inspector. Robert was the most professional electrical inspector we have had the privilege of working with in our 30 years. Extremely knowledgable in all NEC codes--and very helpful with suggestions in often complicated wiring methods and procedures, that typically other electrical inspectors would not take the time to discuss. Robert never swayed from electrical code and regulations and we never had to second guess what he may or may not approve, making our business relationship with contractors and customers run smoothly.
We found Robert to be a devoted husband to Kathy & to those he worked with. Our sympathy goes out to all family members. God Bless you Robert, you will be missed here in Teller County, CO.
Dan Hurley
September 27, 2010
Condolences to Robert and his family. He roomed across the hall from me his freshman year at VT and he was a teammate on the track team. In spite of the high energy of the Lee Hall dormitory, Robert was studious and a kept others level, particularly among the sports team athlete community that lived on the first floor. He was always positive in his approach and supportive of teammates and students. I remember well his dedication to his throwing events.
Dan Hurley VT 77
Mike Stinson
September 27, 2010
I want to give my codelences to Ear's (That is what we called him at VT) wife and family. May they look back at the great times as I am doing. I last talked to Robert about five years ago and he told me how happy he was and how he loved his 40 acre spread out west of Colorado Sprints. I will always have fond memories of him. He moved into the three bedroom aparatment that I was living in for his senior year at Tech. Times were good and yes he had that old Mach 1 to drive.
Take care and know when you cry out for this loss it just reaffirms your love for him. This will help. I know.
Mike Stinson
Willis, VA
Judy Whitenack
September 27, 2010
Robert Drum was not only a gifted athlete but a very cherished member of the Virginia Tech Track Team. His name has always been mentioned with great fondness and humor in discussing the "good old days" here at VT. Our sincerest condolences to Robert's family and friends - Judy & Russ Whitenack, Blacksburg VA
Judy Whitenack
September 27, 2010
What sad news - Robert was a very gifted athlete and cherished member of the Virginia Tech Track Team, his name has always been mentioned fondly in discussing the "good old days" and memories of Robert will always live on. Sincerest condolences to Robert's family and friends - Judy and Russ Whitenack, Blacksburg, VA
Larry Wheeler
September 26, 2010
To Robert’s family, please accept my sincere condolences at this difficult time.
I offer a memory of Robert here as a small gesture in his honor.
I was Robert’s roommate during my sophomore year at Virginia Tech, way back in 1977-78. We lived at Hillcrest, a comfortable brick dorm that sat on a hill overlooking the duck pond. At the time, Hillcrest was reserved for student athletes (aka “jocks”) and had its own dining hall. Hey, in the 1970s, that was something special.
Robert and I shared a corner basement room that, by college dorm standards, was a fairly generous piece of real estate. Robert was connected. He knew people. And he got them to do things for him.
If memory serves, Robert worked his connections in the athletic department to “score” this corner room in the basement of Hillcrest. I was lucky enough to get an invite to join him for the academic/athletic year.
Our room served us well: a place to rest and seek refuge after spending hours throwing heavy objects in the field house or pumping iron in the weight room; a social club where friends could gather; and, occasionally, a place to study.
Sharing a dorm room with Robert also meant exposure to his lifestyle, which at the time, included his beloved – (or cursed, depending on the day) - Mach I Mustang. It was a mean 1970s muscle machine, the kind of ride that reflected Robert’s personality – strong, good times and a bit eccentric. I have a very clear memory of Robert repeatedly lifting the hood to insert a popsicle stick somewhere in the engine – perhaps the distributor cap – so the car would start.
I also remember Robert giving me a ride in his Mach I down to the Blacksburg Greyhound bus station to pick up my high school sweetheart, Donna. She had made the six-hour trip down from Northern Virginia to spend a weekend with her girlfriends and visit with me. During Donna’s visit, Robert was the ultimate gentleman roommate. He didn’t “hit” on my gal and he managed to find an important appointment that kept him away from our dorm room most of the weekend.
Now, don’t get the wrong idea. Hillcrest had a strict “no female visitors” policy, which all dorm residents observed. Did I mention our dorm room had a tall, narrow set of windows that when opened afforded easy access in and out of the room in case of emergency?
Seven years after that weekend visit, Donna and I married. By that time, Robert and I had lost touch as we each pursued our lives far from Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. But Robert remained a presence in my life whenever Donna and I reminisced about that weekend or when I retold, again and again, any one of the many Robert Drum stories from those college days that became part of my life story, too.
Tom Pongratz
September 25, 2010
My prayers are with him & his family.
Debbie Andrews Diggs
September 25, 2010
My sincere condolences to Mr. and Mrs. Drum and family. I will always remember Robert walking up to the school to practice his discus throwing. Please find comfort that God has another angel at his side to watch over you.
Chris Brevig
September 25, 2010
Robert Drum was one of the best friends I've been lucky to have in my life.I first met him while on the Bethel track team in 1972. He helped to teach me how to throw the discus after 10th grade at Bethel. He was ranked 3rd in the State in Discus in High School (160'11") Coach Kozlowski helped him to get his Track scholarship to Virginia Tech in 1974. He was honest, easy going, and had a great sense of humor.He could fire up any get together or party by just being himself. He loved good times, he loved to laugh, and he had a lot of crazy friends to laugh at. He will be missed very much by his many friends...Tommy, Maurice, Chuck, Bigtime, Bruce, Jay, Moe, Ray ,Greg Day, Greg Payne, Whitey, and the whole "Kraft Kid" and Tom's Peanuts gang. He was one of the best athletes I've ever known. He was a State Champion in Discus at Virginia Tech and a National Class Hammer thrower in 1978. The world has lost a good and unique man in Robert Drum. He is missed very much by his friends who loved him like a brother. My thoughts and sympathies are with his family.
Richard Cram
September 25, 2010
As I read of Roberts' passing , my mind skipped to the times when we ran through the neighborhood together as kids. All my memories of Robert are good and fun. I will remember them all with a smile. Think on those times as they bring much comfort. May God bring peace and comfort to you all.
PETE HUDGINS
September 25, 2010
I AM VERY SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF A VERY DEAR FRIEND TO MANY,MAY HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS FIND PEACE WITH HIS CARE NOW WITH OUR DEAR LORD.R.I.P. DRUM.
Chris Brevig
September 25, 2010
Robert Drum was one of the best friends I've ever had in my life. He patiently helped to teach me how to throw the discus in High School.Coach Kozlowski helped him to get a Track
scholarship to Virginia Tech in 1974 in the Discus throw.He was honest,easy going,and had a great sense of humor. He loved to laugh and have a good time with friends,Tom,Bigtime,Jay,Maurice,
Chuck,Moe,Bruce,Ray,Whitey and many others. He will be missed by a lot of the guys from Bethel High School. All the "Kraft Kids" and the "Tom's Peanuts crew" will miss him terribly. Robert was on of the best athletes I've ever known. He was a College State Champion in the discus and National Class Hammer thrower at Virginia Tech in the late 70's. The world has lost a unique man in Robert Drum.My heart goes out to the Drum family.
Vonnie Griffin Keyser
September 25, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. May you find comfort in the memory of Robert's life and all he gave to his family and friends.
Tracey Andrews Hensley
September 25, 2010
My deepest sympathy to the Drum family. I have many fond memories of Robert when we were growing up in Hunt Club. May you all find peace as you go through this sad time and when you come together to celebrate Robert's life.
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