Re: Obit: Barry Hobart "Dr. Creep" of WKEF-TV's "Shock Theater" passes at 68.
Barry was "on" 24 hours a day it seemed. It was rare to see him out of his "Dr. Creep" gear (though I do recall seeing him out of make up once or twice).
To the best of my knowledge, he refused no appearance (unless he was already supposed to be somewhere else).
A kind and gentle person (much like Dr. Creep was supposed to be - horrorful, yes. But not too scary). I had the pleasure of DJ-ing at more MDA benefits than I can remember with Barry, Tom Michaels (then Sports Director at channel 22), and of course, the late Johnny Walker, especially back in the 80's.
One day during that time, Barry called me over at the old WBZI-FM, and asked if I had plans for the evening. I didn't. So, I said no. Barry said, "I've got tickets for the wrestling matches at Hara and if you'd like to go, I'll come and pick you up at your house". Well, this was when the WWF was just getting popular with M-TV and the like, so I said, sure. (I think I was actually Barry's "wrestling manager" for about 10 minutes. There was a period of time when he was dabbling at it, as I recall.)
Anyway, the last thing I ever expected was for him to show up in costume...and in the hearse!
When he pulled into the neighborhood, seeing him behind the wheel of the hearse was an instant
"kid magnet", and dozens of kids came from every direction following the hearse down the street as though Barry was a "pied piper", followed by mom's and dad's with cameras. By the time he pulled into my driveway, my front yard was overrun by the gaggle!
But, true to his character, Barry signed every autograph, and posed for every picture before he and I got in the hearse and took off to Hara. And I became a "neighborhood celebrity", just because Dr. Creep came to my house! I've never forgotten it, and never will.
Getting to appear on the MDA Telethon a couple of years ago on a segment with him was a blast as well. It was obvious off the set he was having difficulty getting around, but we still did our best to make mayhem out of the segment.
Barry also told a story about one time when the hearse broke down during the telethon somewhere on the way to Wapakoneta along Route 33 (I think). Anyway, apparently when the cops showed up to help the "disabled vehicle", the police officer (who apparently didn't see or notice Barry in full makeup and costume) immediately called for tons of priority assistance. Apparently, the cop thought it was real hearse with a real body inside!
And I agree...he would do radio events at the drop of a hat.
His "Project Christmas Smiles" assisted some 93-thousand families in the Miami Valley, too.
He was truly one of a kind...the Miami Valley will miss "The Good Doctor". And we are better as a community for the fact that he crossed our path.
I am saddened at his loss...but happy to have been able to call him a friend.
