Robert Kevin Adams

Robert (Rob) Kevin Adams, age 66 of New Bern, North Carolina and formerly of Cumberland, Maryland, passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at Grantsbrook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Rob was born on November 27, 1958 in Johnson City, New York and was the only son of Charles A. Adams and Margaret L. (Gaylor) Adams of Johnstown, PA.

Rob was a 1976 graduate of Allegany High School and went on to pursue a career in the food industry, managing several local establishments. He was instrumental in the re-opening of the Old Depot in Frostburg, Maryland in the late 1980’s and went on to manage the former Yoder’s Country Market in Grantsville, Maryland. In an effort to revitalize Downtown Cumberland in the early 1990’s, Rob oversaw the opening of a second Yoder’s Country Market in the Gateway Center on Baltimore Street. He later accepted a position as Director of Allegany County Tourism with the hope to expand the area’s economic development.

Throughout the years, Rob developed a passion for cooking and often made extravagant meals and desserts for his friends and family. In addition to his culinary skills, he also had extensive artistic talent and enjoyed sketching, painting on canvas, playing the guitar and piano. While living in Cumberland, he attended Central Assembly of God where he sang with the choir.

In the early 2000’s, he relocated to the Carolinas where he continued to pursue his love of the culinary arts and worked as an Executive Chef at Southern Wesleyan University, which he considered to be his “dream job.” During his later years, he frequented area restaurants and enjoyed critiquing and leaving reviews for the local community.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his childhood best friend, John Raupach. He is survived by his long time best friend, Roy Smith, Jr. of New Bern, NC, his daughter Jody Pifer of Frostburg, MD, daughter Stacy Rapson and husband Derek of Cumberland, MD, and daughter Ashley Adams of LaVale, MD. His grandchildren Kaylee Pifer Musser and husband Devren of Inwood, WV, Brandon Pifer of Lexington Park, MD, Dylan Pifer of Frostburg, MD, Ryder Rapson, Rex Rapson, Rogan Rapson, Vaida Rapson, and Vivian Rapson, of Cumberland, MD, and Londyn Adams of LaVale, MD. He also leaves behind many friends, and his beloved dog, Rocky.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory will be handling his final wishes to be cremated and there will be no formal service conducted. A small memorial gathering in his honor will be held in New Bern, NC at a later date.