olevetonahill
9/23/2012, 07:23 AM
Longtime news anchor Bob Hower dies
Bob Hower, a longtime news anchor for KTUL and KOTV for 37 years, died on Saturday, a source said.
Hower launched Tulsa's first TV newscast with KOTV in 1949 with the words, "Good evening, let's look at the news."
Hower started his broadcast career with radio station KTUL, moved on to KOTV and then worked at TV stations in San Diego and Chicago before returning to Tulsa.
Hower's series "Waiting Child," which started in 1980, was an award-winning series in conjunction with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services that led to hundreds of children finding homes. Hower would later call it his greatest contribution to television.
Hower was forced to retire in 1986 after developing spasmodic dysphonia, a condition that caused his voice to quiver.
A Tulsa native, Hower graduated from Tulsa Central High School. He was named homecoming king of Tulsa's centennial celebration in 1997.
Hower was a licensed pilot and in retirement picked up and delivered planes to Tulsa airplane dealers.
Hower also authored a book, "Angels of Mercy," about the American Red Cross' efforts in the aftermath of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot. Hower's grandfather, the late Maurice Willows, was sent from the St. Louis Red Cross to lead the relief effort.
Bob Hower, a longtime news anchor for KTUL and KOTV for 37 years, died on Saturday, a source said.
Hower launched Tulsa's first TV newscast with KOTV in 1949 with the words, "Good evening, let's look at the news."
Hower started his broadcast career with radio station KTUL, moved on to KOTV and then worked at TV stations in San Diego and Chicago before returning to Tulsa.
Hower's series "Waiting Child," which started in 1980, was an award-winning series in conjunction with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services that led to hundreds of children finding homes. Hower would later call it his greatest contribution to television.
Hower was forced to retire in 1986 after developing spasmodic dysphonia, a condition that caused his voice to quiver.
A Tulsa native, Hower graduated from Tulsa Central High School. He was named homecoming king of Tulsa's centennial celebration in 1997.
Hower was a licensed pilot and in retirement picked up and delivered planes to Tulsa airplane dealers.
Hower also authored a book, "Angels of Mercy," about the American Red Cross' efforts in the aftermath of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot. Hower's grandfather, the late Maurice Willows, was sent from the St. Louis Red Cross to lead the relief effort.