Rob Roblin Obituary – The Baltimore broadcasting community is mourning the loss of Rob Roblin, the veteran WBAL-TV reporter whose dynamic storm coverage and genuine connection with viewers made him a local legend. The Towson resident passed away Monday at 79 after suffering a stroke at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center.
For 45 years, Roblin was the face of Baltimore’s most dramatic weather events—whether standing in hurricane-driven waves at Ocean City or delivering folksy live shots from snow-packed highways. His retirement in 2014 marked the end of an era, but his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched both on and off camera.
## **From Humble Beginnings to Baltimore Icon**
Born in Toronto but raised in Mississippi after his parents’ early deaths, Roblin overcame adversity to build an extraordinary career. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, he cut his teeth at WLBT-TV in Jackson before working in markets from San Francisco to Chicago.
But it was Baltimore where he truly found his home. WBAL General Manager Dan Joerres remembered: “Rob was a presence like no other—he brought energy and authenticity to every story.”
## **The People’s Reporter: Blizzards, Hurricanes, and Heart**
Roblin had a rare gift for making severe weather coverage personal. Whether wearing a comical hat during blizzards or chatting with stranded drivers, he turned breaking news into human stories.
“He loved talking to all people,” said his son Stephen Roblin. “He knew how to work a room—and a live shot.”
Longtime colleague Jennifer Franciotti added: “He was bigger than life, generous, and a wonderful mentor. A true Baltimore treasure.”
## **More Than a Journalist: His Lasting Community Impact**
Roblin’s influence extended far beyond journalism. His spontaneous 1997 decision to jump into the Chesapeake Bay fully clothed during a Polar Bear Plunge broadcast helped transform the event into Maryland’s largest charity fundraiser for Special Olympics.
“Rob’s authenticity and enthusiasm were game-changers,” said Special Olympics Maryland CEO Jim Schmutz. “He gave us visibility and credibility that lasts to this day.”
## **A Life Well-Lived, A Legacy Remembered**
Roblin is survived by three sons, eight grandchildren, and companion Terri Young. He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Mary Roblin, in 2017.
A public visitation will be held Monday at Ruck Towson Funeral Home from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. As Baltimore remembers its favorite storm-chasing storyteller, one thing is clear: Rob Roblin’s legacy of fearless reporting and genuine humanity will endure.
