Robert "Bob" Lee Ruthrauff

Robert "Bob" Lee Ruthrauff, 77, passed away unexpectedly at his residence shortly before August 13, 2025, in Ocean City, Maryland. Born on February 7, 1948 in Hagerstown, Maryland, he was the son of the late Harold Charles Ruthrauff, Jr. and Doris Elizabeth (Myers) Ruthrauff. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sisters, Sharon Sollenberger and Amy (Ruthrauff) Black.

Bob is survived by his brothers, Harold Charles “Charlie” Ruthrauff III (Pauline) and Terry Ruthrauff; his sister, Jewel Ruthrauff Grossnickle (Kevin); his brother-in-law, Alvey Sollenberger; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

In his early years, Bob delivered The Daily Mail newspaper in the neighborhood near his home on the Sharpsburg Pike. He was an avid bowler and was awarded many trophies. His high scores were printed in the newspaper weekly. He was a loyal Baltimore Orioles baseball fan. He followed the Hagerstown Bears football team with his brother, Charlie.

Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force soon after graduating from South Hagerstown High School in 1966, and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, while serving on active duty for five years. He returned home for college while serving with the West Virginia Air National Guard in Martinsburg, WV, during the next six years, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bob married a Japanese woman he met while stationed in Okinawa. The marriage did not last long because she would not relocate to the US.

Bob attended New York College of Arts and Sciences (1967), Hagerstown Junior College (1972-74), received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland (1974-76), and also attended Essex Community College (1979-80). His work in the Air Force and his education prepared him for his career as a food inspector with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He retired from the FDA around the age of 50, and he very much enjoyed the freedom of his long and active retirement.

Upon retirement, Bob pursued his passion for photography and was known as “Bob OCfotoguy”. He had a small business for many years called “Photos As You Want Them”. He produced family portraits and weddings on the beach. He continued his hobby of photographing natural scenes and creatures in the outdoors throughout his life.

Bob's interests were diverse. He had a love for traveling, particularly enjoying the warmth of Florida and the southwestern United States during the winter months. International trips included Ecuador, Egypt, Mexico, and other destinations.

Bob enjoyed writing about his travels, sharing his photos, and expressing his thoughts on a variety of topics through a dedicated Facebook page and a column in the OC Today-Dispatch and the Coconut Times.

Bob greatly appreciated Maryland seafood. He would crab and fish, bringing his catch home to fix for dinner. Bob was an excellent cook and was well known for his crab cakes at the Myers family reunion. He will be long remembered for his ever-present straw hat and camera.

A celebration of life will be held for Bob on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., with a visitation one hour prior at Rest Haven Funeral Home, 1601 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21742.