The famous car enthusiast Rob “Rabbit” Pitts succumbed to stomach cancer on August 24, 2024, at the age of 45. Here is everything you need to know about the life of the Tex Mex Motors star.
Key Takeaways
- Rob Pitts was born and raised in South Carolina and grew up with his dad, a professional drag racer.
- He started his career at a Ford car dealership but dabbled in stand-up comedy, radio, and ultimately, his Netflix TV Show and YouTube channel.
- Rob Pitts, a 45-year-old TV personality from the show Tex Mex Motors, passed away on August 25, 2024, at 21:45 in hospice care.
On July 27, 1979, Robert ‘Rabbit’ Pitts was born in South Carolina.
In a podcast, Rob revealed that he grew up with his dad.
Rob’s father was a professional drag racer.
Rob is a huge car enthusiast, which makes perfect sense given his background.
Growing up in a family passionate about cars, with a father who was a professional drag racer, he was practically born into car culture.
It is only natural for him to follow in these footsteps.
Rob got his first taste of car collection when he bought his first collector car at the age of 19.
Rob Pitts’ Journey From Being A Salesman To A TV Personality
Everyone recognizes Rob from his time on Netflix’s Tex Mex Motors, but he actually began his career as a car salesman in a Ford dealership.
This lesser-known fact highlights his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a well-known figure on television and his YouTube channel.
According to him, he had a ‘good sales career‘ at the Ford dealership.
Furthermore, Rob is also a third-generation business owner.
He inherited Pitt’s Truck Service, founded in 1968 by his grandfather.
He reflected on how his grandfather’s decision to start the business transformed his family’s life, creating a legacy he proudly continued.
Moreover, Rob also used to participate in stand-up comedy.
However, he decided to quit this venture as it was really hard to make a living doing stand-up.
Plus, he said it was always a hobby.
Additionally, Rob’s talent and deep knowledge of cars led him to become an important personality on VINwiki, a community where car enthusiasts share stories about their vehicles.
In 2018, Rob joined YouTube, creating his channel.
It was only a year later that he posted the first video on his channel showcasing a Corvette.
He shared content that reflected his passion and expertise.
Ultimately, in 2023, he joined the cast of Netflix’s Tex Mex Motors, where he restored cars bought from Mexico to El Paso.
His prominence grew with the series, and he quickly became a fan favorite.
Rob Pitts Stood By His Wife’s Side Throughout Her Academic Journey
Rob’s life was intertwined with that of Randi Foraker, his beloved wife and a respected figure in the field of epidemiology.
Their story began with an engagement on May 5th, blossoming into a marriage that endured until Rob’s passing.
Throughout their time together, Rob proudly supported Randi’s impressive academic journey, which took them from Iowa City to Columbus, then to St. Louis, and finally to Columbia, Missouri.
He witnessed her growth from a promising PhD graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to her current role as Professor and Chair at the University of Missouri.
Rob’s support was a constant in Randi’s life as she went through the challenges of academia, from her time as an Associate Professor at Ohio State University to her concurrent roles at WashU Medicine and the University of Missouri.
Ro Pitts Bids Farewell at Age 45, Sccumbing to Stomach Cancer
Rob Pitts, a 45-year-old TV personality from the show Tex Mex Motors, passed away on August 25, 2024, at 21:45 in hospice care.
His demise was due to stomach cancer, which he had been battling for several months.
Pitts posted a video titled “This is Goodbye” on YouTube, sharing his cancer journey.
He described how his health began to decline, noting significant weight loss and acid reflux symptoms.
In March 2024, while filming the second season of his Netflix show, Pitts was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
The video included pictures documenting his cancer battle, showing his progression from being healthy to becoming bedridden.
Pitts admitted there were “more bad days than good” but maintained a positive attitude, smiling in most photos.
Pitts emphasized the importance of listening to one’s body and seeking medical attention when something feels wrong.
He encouraged viewers to ask questions and get answers if they experience health concerns.
His partner, whom he referred to as “the love of his life,” stood by him throughout his illness.
Pitts expressed gratitude for her support, even joking about her willingness to do “long-term things with a short-term guy.”
Initially, the video only suggested that Pitts was dying due to the severity of his condition.
However, a few hours after the video was posted, Jeff’s videographer confirmed Pitts’ passing in a comment on the same video.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Rob got his nickname of ‘Rabbit‘ when he sloppily wrote his name when working at the Ford dealership.
- Rob was a great storyteller, and he recalls storytelling as a form of art in the South.
- Before doing YouTube, Rob briefly hosted Radio Shows.