User:Buskieboy

Robert "Rob" Simpson Petrie, played by Dick Van Dyke, is a television character on the 1960's sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show. He was the head writer of the comedy writing team for the fictional TV variety show The Alan Brady Show, working with Sally Rogers and Buddy Sorrell. When not working, Rob enjoyed life in New Rochelle with his wife Laura Petrie, played by Mary Tyler Moore, and his son, Ritchie "Rosebud" Petrie, portrayed by Larry Mathews. Rob, Laura and Ritchie live in New Rochelle, New York. Their neighbours are longtime friends, Millie Helper and her dentist husband Jerry Helper. Rob is a big fan of Old-time radio, Laurel and Hardy and an excellent mime & fan of pantomime, incorporating many favorite routines into his comedy writing. He has living parents, Sam and Clara Petrie

Rob was born, as was titular actor Dick Van Dyke, in Danville, Illinois, along with younger brother Stacey Petrie, and served in the military at Camp Crowder as a Special Services Sargent. There he met his future wife, Laura Meehan a USO dancer. After a number of jobs, he was hired by Allan Brady as head writer to work with co-writers Sally Rogers & Buddy Sorrell on the Alan Brady Show.