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Bob McDowell

R

robgrayson

I just received a call about the passing of Bob McDowell, or to you tiger alums, Dr. Robert McDowell. I remember hearing him years ago doing editorials as manager of what was then "Quad 104", now WRVR. In more recent years, I had the pleasure of working with Bob to produce the Keep Tennessee Beautiful PSA series. Bob was the voice of "Pick-up Pete", but also did a number of character and annoucer parts. Under Bob's direction, the series has been very successful, bringing in top national honors a number of times.
The last place I saw Bob was at December's commencement at U of M, where he was one of the "pronouncers", calling the names of the graduates. It was a neat "I know that dude" moment for me! Bob was gracious thorough the years to allow me to speak to his radio production classes at the University. I am proud to have counted Bob as a friend.
 
I too just received the same call.

The man had a big voice- and an even bigger heart. He was, and always will be my favorite professor. He gave me a chance when no one else would; and was there for me at a crucial time in my life. Tears are filling my eyes as I type this.

RIP, Dr. Bob. You will be missed.

John Maddox
 
Count me in as one of Bob's fans. I'll tell you a little known fact about him...he was Program Director of WREC-AM for about 3 weeks back about 1981! WRVR let him go and Bill Thomas, to his credit, hired him on an interim basis at WREC to keep a pay check coming for Bob and his family while he worked at getting another gig. I can't remember if this was before or after Carter Davis was PD at WREC, but Bob was a perfect gentleman to work with and had some quick short term ideas for promotions that we incorporated into the on air mix that proved quite valuable. I enjoyed getting to know himi and spoke with him off and on through the years after that in trying to be of service to this gentle, special man. His was a life well lived.
 
There are probably a number of us who did not know Bob all that well but who were most impressed with him all the same. That's the mark of a special person, isn't it?

His radio work, time at the University and much more endeared him to many. Among his credits is the fact that Crimestoppers would not be what it is today without his tireless efforts. His voice and hard work behind the scenes did much good for that organization. God speed to his family and friends.
 
Bob and Dan Vacarro gave me my first "big-time" radio job back in 1970-something. As I remember, Viacom didn't exactly do right by Bob in the way they let him go from WQUD / WRVR.

A great guy.
 
Bob McDowell was a real class act. He was my professor at MSU back in the early 80's. I learned a lot about the business by listening to his old war stories during class. He didn't sugar coat things, but he also didn't discourage people from making a career in the radio business. The day he brought in Steve Conley in to talk to us was an exciting day for everyone. I'll never forget what a thrill I got when he chose my radio spot as the best in our class. A talented, smart, cool, and classy guy.
 
This suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks...

He was my advisor in the early to mid 90s, just after the name-change to U of M. I had just moved down here, having a vague idea of what I had to do to get through school and into radio. I always wanted to pick his brain more than I could but, being a hit and run type of guy, I never got to know him as well as I'd like. And despite that--despite hearing time and again that no matter how much knowledge you had, if you don't have talent, you won't go far--he told me that I absolutely needed to be in radio. In truth, if it weren't for his words, I probably would've given up a long time ago and even now, through the discouragement I feel, remembering that conversation makes me think, "Well.....maybe..."

The funniest anecdote I can think of...he could never get my name right. I had probably a half dozen classes with him and he always just skewered my name, even changing it subtly in the three years I was there. So I'm getting ready for graduation and knowing that people could get my name wrong, I filled out that phonetics card for my name VERY carefully. I'm walking up for graduation and I'm really not sure who's going to announce my name. I get up to the stage and it's Dr. McDowell. And he saw my name, looked up at me and smiled. I smiled back and, knowing that was my cue, I started walking across...

"Jeff RAD-uh-maaacher"

:D
 
Bob was also the voice of the airport, making the recorded PA announcements about TSA info and the like, as well as doing announcements on AM 1600, the low power airport info station you can tune in as you approach the airport. A fine job he did.
 
I never met Bob face to face but called on him several times in the early 90s while looking for weekenders. I have always remembered how nice he was.
 
So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. McDowell. Let me add to the chorus of those who are singing the praises of this consummate professional and true gentleman. If all managers had just a small measure of the class Bob exhibited on a daily basis, ours would be a better industry. I had the pleasure of working for Mr. McDowell, and was there when Viacom unceremoniously pulled the rug out from under both Bob and Program Director Dan Vaccaro. Both were a pleasure to work for and both had a clear picture of what the market needed from their station.

The earlier poster was correct...it was NOT a happy time for anyone when Bob and Dan were dumped. Dan was replaced by Jim Robertson, who was a pretty decent guy although he was in the unenviable position of having to spoon-feed that which was being spoon-fed to him by corporate. It tasted as bad as it smelled. Bob was replaced by Terry Wood. It was NOT an improvement in the situation. That's as kind as I can get.

The natives in the house became so restless, they organized and petitioned the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for representation. Wood took it personally and made it his mission to not only de-certify the favorable vote (which happened), he also planned to eliminate all those he saw as responsible for the vote in the first place (which he also accomplished). It all happened AFTER Bob McDowell left the building...and would NOT have happened at all if they'd just left well enough alone.

Rest in peace, Mr. McDowell. The world is a better place because you were in it.
 
Does anyone know of a write-up of the passing of Bob McDowell - in the CA or elsewhere?
 
I am sorry to hear about Bob's passing. I heard about it here in Illinois. I met Bob when he began at U of M back in 1982. He gave me an intership my freshman year to WZXR/WREC (unusual for a freshman)...which changed my life. Bob was more then a teacher to me but a true mentor. He spent hours with me.....encouraging me while learning the trade. Bob discovered and helped me learn to work with my "reading disability" ...wow!....that changed my life.

Now 26 years later and working in television and radio in Southern Illinois, I pass along what folks like Bob put into me. While not in the Memphis market, there are people like Jack Parnell, Rob Grayson, Rick Robinson, Rick Tarrent, Maxine Todd and others.....and yes Bob McDowell ..... that I have had the pleasure to know ....and from those I learned how to be a professional in this business.

This is a tough business... there is more taking than giving.... but I still appreciate those who made a difference in my life through the years and gave to me....like Bob McDowell!
 
Bob McDowell obituary

[EDIT]

http://www.legacy.com/CommercialAppeal/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=105029615

*EDIT-truncated because citation exceeds fair use standards. In the future please provide a URL (if possible) to the source and paraphrase the content that exceeds fair use. The content of the post is copyrighted and unauthorized use is a violation of our terms of our terms of service. URL provided by Radio-Info as a courtesy to other users.]
 
Sorry 'bout that. It was a Word document I had been sent, not a published document, and it had no URL. I thought it would fly under the fair practice standards. Suffice to say it had nothing contrary to say regarding Dr. McDowell.

BTW, Terry Bill, an old broadcasting friend of mine and some of you, responded to my email regarding Bob and gave some early history...

Terry said, in part:

"I knew McDowell at the start of his career but lost track of him over the years. I "taught" broadcasting at the old Keegan's school of broadcasting in the early 60s. He was one of my students. Very bright... one of those you knew was going to "make it". I was working days at WDIA and a position came open for an announcer at DIA. I recommended Bob... and he was hired. I left shortly after that and he took over my duties. I didn't see him again for years... but while I was at WREC there was a media softball game... I don't remember the format... Bob was the pitcher for the other side. Never saw him again after that... but you can say we went back about 50 years."

Just thought some who were students might appreciate some words on this fine man's life.

Allan Tynes
 
The Keegan School was something! Someone should start athread on that one at a more light hearted moment...JBI (Former Keegan Student)...
 
Wow...haven't stopped by the board in a while, and obviously missed this in the paper. So sad. I loved chatting with McDowell in the afternoons before my shift on WUMR. He also hooked me up with an internship to FM 100 and I guess the rest is history with that....he even had me come back & talk to his classes about the benefits of doing internships even if they weren't paid. I met so many wonderful people during my time there at WUMR. Thank you so much Dr Bob for everything you did for me, and the others who have posted here. Godspeed. :'(
 
This is the first time I have written anything on this website. Just wanted anyone who uses this site to know that Bob was a remarkable man. He was such a wonderful gentleman. He asked me to speak to his classes so many times over the years and I always enjoyed the experience. He and I had lunch a number of times and I always found him so full of energy and enthusiasim for his kids and his radio station. God will certainly bless his soul.
 
This former student will miss Bob McDowell. You couldn't be around him without absorbing his reverence and respect for our craft. He understood, not only the business of radio, but the importance of the medium. God bless his family and may he rest in peace.
 
Steve Conley said:
This is the first time I have written anything on this website. Just wanted anyone who uses this site to know that Bob was a remarkable man. He was such a wonderful gentleman. He asked me to speak to his classes so many times over the years and I always enjoyed the experience. He and I had lunch a number of times and I always found him so full of energy and enthusiasim for his kids and his radio station. God will certainly bless his soul.
Click to expand...

If this is the first time you have written anything on this website why do you have two posts?
 
So it isn't just me...I noticed that, too...but I just let it slide.
(I figured I was the only @$$ to even notice)
hahahahaha! ;D
 
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