Bob Conners
Bob Conners | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Foster Charles Conners December 12, 1933 Clearfield, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | November 23, 2014 (aged 80) Marco Island, Florida, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Ohio State University |
| Spouse | Linda Conners |
| Children | 4 |
| Career | |
| Show | Bob Conners in the Morning (1978–2011) |
| Station(s) | WTVN-AM, Columbus, Ohio |
| Show | BC's Saturday Morning Open Phones |
| Station(s) | WTVN-AM, Columbus, Ohio |
| Style | Morning radio |
Robert Foster Charles Conners[1] (December 12, 1933 – November 23, 2014), known professionally as Bob Conners, was an American radio personality on Columbus, Ohio's AM radio station 610 WTVN. On his retirement in 2011, he had been on the air in Columbus for over forty years, 33 of them as WTVN morning show host.[2] In total, his broadcasting career lasted more than 60 years.[1]
Early life
Conners was born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania on December 12, 1933, to Robert Charles and Zona (née Foster) Conners. He graduated from St. Marys Central Catholic High School in St. Marys, Pennsylvania in 1952.
Career
Conners began his broadcasting work while in high school at
Bob Conners in the Morning
Prior to Conners' 2011 retirement, Bob Conners in the Morning aired weekday mornings from 5:35 a.m. to 9 a.m. His show had been a mainstay of Columbus radio since 1979. The show interspersed news, weather, and traffic reports between segments discussing issues of varied interest, as well as interviews with authors and local personalities.
BC's Saturday Morning Open Phones
On BC's Saturday Morning Open Phones, callers could speak about any topic, whether a simple announcement of a charity event or a minutes-long political rant. There were several regular callers who bantered with Conners over politics or the latest Ohio State University football game. BC's Saturday Morning Open Phones aired Saturdays on WTVN from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
During the last several years of his WTVN career, Conners performed his show during the winter months remotely from a studio installed in his second home in Marco Island, Florida.[6]
Personal life
According to his obituary, Conners had a lifelong interest in aviation and was an instrument-rated pilot. He earned his bachelor's degree in Aviation and Communications from Ohio State University in 1986.[1] He was a member of the Commemorative Air Force and served as announcer for many air shows at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base near Columbus.[7]
Retirement and death
On October 24, 2011, Conners announced that he would be retiring and his last official day on-air would be November 30, 2011.[5][2]
His retirement was marked by a statement on the floor of the
On November 24, 2014, the station announced Conners' death of mantle cell lymphoma at his winter home in Marco Island the previous day at the age of 80.[1] He was survived by his wife of 37 years, Linda, and four children, 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e "WTVN Radio Legend Bob Conners Dies". WBNS-TV. November 24, 2014. Archived from the original on May 20, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ^ Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ^ a b Tiberi, Pat (December 12, 2011). "In Honor Of Bob Conners Upon His Retirement From 610-WTVN". capitolwords.org/. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ^ Johnston, Chris (December 5, 2011). "Gone With The Wind". johnstonteam.blogspot.com. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
- ^ a b "BC to Hang Up Headphones". 610wtvn.com. WTVN. October 24, 2011. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
- ^ Columbus Dispatch. November 24, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ^ Bob Conners' obituary in the Columbus Dispatch, November 25, 2014
- ^ Eichenberger, Bill (November 7, 2011). "Eastmoor will remain home for local radio icon Conners". Bexley News. ThisWeek Newspapers. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
External links
- "Bob Conners on WTVN". 610wtvn.com. WTVN. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- 2011 Tribute to Bob Conners from Ondo Media on Vimeo