UPDATE: July 14, 2020 Bob Johnson has passed away following his battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was a great friend, and a giant in local broadcasting. Here’s a tribute I wrote about him in 2013.
During the past few years, I have done more than two hundred programs at clubs and churches to talk about my books. I love sharing stories about the people who have informed and entertained us. One of those is the longest-running news anchorman in Chattanooga history. People always ask me, “How’s Bob Johnson doing?”
Darrell Patterson, Bob Johnson, and Don Welch in 2014.
I see Bob at various get-togethers, so I know the answer to that question. But for the thousands who followed him on Channel 9 for almost 32 years on the evening news (1975-2007), they’re missing a friend.
Like many broadcasters, Bob was bitten by the radio bug at an early age. Barely a teen in his hometown of Marietta, Georgia, Robert Johnson (his real name) and a couple of his buddies got a one-tube radio transmitter, hooked up a turntable and started playing music. Their broadcasts didn’t reach far, into their own neighborhood at best. But Bob honed his skills, deepened his voice, and imitated the Atlanta deejays he heard on his way to school. By the time he was in 10th grade, he was good enough to land a job at WFOM in Marietta. If one of the regular deejays needed a weekend off, “Bobby Jay” was on the air. He even played in a rock ‘n roll band called “The Mystics.” (Bob is standing 2nd from left, with white turtleneck, in photo below).
When he graduated in 1965 he enrolled at the University of Georgia, taking journalism courses. How did he spend his freshman year at UGA? “Wishing I was on the radio,” recalls Bob. Near the end of the school year, he heard about an opening at WDOL radio in Athens. He eventually became the station’s program director at the age of 22.
TV entered the picture when he was asked to do some announcing for the PBS channel in Athens. That got the attention of WAGA-TV in Atlanta, which needed an announcer. Bob became their go-to guy for whatever needed to be done. When the Saturday kids show host left town, Bob took his place. When they needed a noonday weatherman, Bob learned how to read the maps. When they started a new morning show, Bob became the host.
Bob’s goal was to host programs about news issues, and despite many promises, WAGA never made that happen. He sold his idea to a station in Charleston, SC, and moved there in 1974. “That was a bad choice,” he said. He ended up doing the weather there too, and soon began seeking jobs around the southeast. He targeted Chattanooga, since it was close to home. He said, “WTVC Channel 9 was going through a rough patch, and they were hiring.” The station had a new general manager, Jane Dowden. Shortly after arriving at WTVC, she met with Bob. They made a deal, and Bob began his long run behind the anchor desk.
“I was only 28,” Bob said. “We started out in third place. I was teamed with the late Don Welch, who did weather, and (McMinn County native) Darrell Patterson on sports. We had good chemistry, and people grew to like us. It took about seven years to get ahead of the other channels.” In contrast to Welch’s folksy forecast style and Patterson’s evangelical energy, Bob was the authority figure, keeping everything under control. From 1982 on, his newscasts were always at or near the top of the ratings.
Bob’s last few years on the air were marked by tragedy and illness. MaryEllen Locher, his co-anchor of 17 years, battled cancer for much of that time. In June 2005, she passed away at the age of 45. Bob spoke at her funeral, paying tribute to “my good friend, my buddy. She had such a good heart.”
Not long after MaryEllen’s death, Bob’s own health problems began. “I’d be standing, and suddenly my leg would just freeze up. I couldn’t move it. My brain would tell my body to move, and nothing would happen.” It was diagnosed as Parkinson’s Disease. Among its symptoms are rigidity and the degeneration of a small part of the brain. As brain cells die, the brain becomes deprived of the chemical dopamine, which enables cells involved in movement control to communicate. Muscles become tense and contracted, causing pain or stiffness. There’s no known cure, and it becomes increasingly disabling over time.
“When people ask about me, tell them I’m doing fine,” he said. “I have good days and bad days, but I get out as often as I can. I really miss doing the news. I miss helping foster children get adopted in the Wednesday’s Child program. At one time, we had a sixty percent adoption rate. I’m very proud of that.”
He said people still recognize him, and he appreciates their kind words. “Just yesterday, a lady looked me in the eye and said, “I sure do miss you.” Bob’s voice trailed off as he said, “That’s really all she needed to say.”
He was honored by the Hamilton County Commission in 2007.
Bob Johnson was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2014. I was honored to have him as our competition, because he forced us to be better. Our relationship was one of great friendship and mutual respect. Thank you Bob, for being a positive force in our community.
Bob Johnson (2nd from right) and friends, March 2018
I love your blog you are a very awesome person I will never forget the time I meet you at ch 3 I hope you remember it thank u I wish I could get a ch 3 mug I saw one on a commercial for ch 3 just curious sir thank you
Excellent update on Bob Johnson! Still do miss him! Thanks so much!
Love Bob Johnson. I worked at Provident and he would visit our cafeteria to eat. Such an awesome man and i wish him continued good days over bad. He was a GREAT news anchor and is sorely missed. Godbless and prayers for you Bob.
Thank you David, for your update on Bob. I often wondered how he was doing. You are a blessing David. again, thank you so much. Tutti Harris
David, I’m a former Chattanoogan. Your blogs about my hometown help to keep me current on the media there. Your writing style engages the reader like few others do. Thanks for all the informative and entertains posts throughout the years.
Doug Hullander
Knoxville
I didn’t know about Bob’s earlier years. Thank you for sharing.
Hey David, Thanks for all the updates on Bob Johnson. I grew up watching the 3 musketeers on channel 9 news. I also met and listen to you during your radio days with kz106 with David Huews and the Jammer. Those were great times. I now live in the Winston-Salem, NC. area now. Thanks for keeping us updated on everything.
Chuck Fortenberry
So happy to have an update on Bob! Love that guy! Bob always worked with class and integrity. And he wasn’t too bad to look at either!!! (insert smile here)
For a few years, I worked two days a week at WTVC, doing voice-overs for commercials and station identifications. The recordings were done on reel-to-reel tapes in a tiny ‘audio production’ booth. I always tried to get in there before the news reporters needed the space. More than once, I needed help with equipment in the booth and between Bob Johnson and John Favoli – I finally got my work done. (Guess they were anxious to get me out of there, so they could use the booth!)
David, you have a beautiful gift of putting words together in just the right way. You’re a favorite of mine for all time! Love ya! (Hug Cindy for me!)
Been a fan , as have all my family, since day one . Nothing can ever replace the GOOD OLD DAYS of Chattanooga , TV . We watched Bob Brandy sign WTVC on the air , giving us three network channels . I wish someone would do a book , if they haven’t already , with lots of pictures of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and as many of the TV personalities , as well as just the ordinary guys and girls of the early days 20s- present etc… David would be the ideal person to do this. The days when the roads weren’t even paved and there were only a few cars to use the ones that were. David is the type person who could get the response needed from people who have photos we would all
Enjoy. We are all blessed to have and to have had such wonderful news teams in our area . They are professionals who become Friends.
Good afternoon David!
How is Bob doing? I sure do miss the team : You, Maryellen, Don & Bib!
I never watched the news, until y’all came along!
I don’t watch it much anymore, it is no longer up close & personal, or not to me!
Thanks for the memories!
Treva Forster
tjf231954@gmail.com
Hello david love your weekend show on big 95.3 ..i remember you on kz106 …you do a great job ..thank you for your services
I stoped watching channel nine when bob and the maryellen and th ed rest weren’t there sny more just wasn’t the s as me sorry to hear about his passing ..prayers for family and friends .
I remember watching him and Mary Ellen back in the 80s. Even got to meet them a few times. I was a teenager. And they was my favorite news people to watch. Along with Don Welch. They gave the news not what people just wanted to hear.
Thank you David for sucha beautiful tribute
You and only you have the beautiful words to share Bob’s story..I was very lucky to work with the giants at Newschannel almost 15 years. I think we were all like family. I am sad !
David how old was Don?
I use to work at Krystal in North Chattanooga he used to come in there and eat after he got thou with the news that night he was a very sweet man to all of us on 3rd and he was just a good man
Bob was an absolute Pro and had all the tools for success as a TV News Anchor. I first met Bob in 86 and interacted with him through the remaining years at Channel 9 and I was impressed with Bob during every encounter. We talked a lot about this love country music and especially his love for Randy Owen and the band Alabama. For years Bob was on stage at June Jam in Ft. Payne introducing the nations top touring acts to the Tennessee Valley.
He made everything he did look easy and comfortable, I remember telling Bob on more than one occasion that I thought he could have been a ratings leader in any city in America. Bob had the talent to be a national network anchor, no doubt about it.
We lost a good one today.
Watched him on the news for many years and enjoyed his broadcast. He was always objective in his broadcasting. He had positive attitude. May God be with the family and friends. My our Lord and savior Jesus Christ take Bob home.
Sending love and prayers to Bob’s family ❤️??. He and Mary Ellen were always two of my favorites ❤️❤️!! I pray for God’s comfort and peace for his family, to know that he is well and perfect, now, and just remembering happy times will help you in moving forward!
Thanks, David. You are a good man, too.
David Carroll, thank you for keeping us up-to-date on the passing of our beloved Chattanooga Radio and TV broadcasters. I know it hurts when you have news like this to share with us.
Upon receiving your email announcement, Remembering Bob Johnson, I went to grab your book, Chattanooga Radio and Television, to review all the pictures of Bob. There were many photos capturing his work at 9 over the three decades. He was a class act and a man we will all miss. Bob was a top broadcasting professional and so easy to watch with his movie star good looks. My deepest sympathy goes to Bob’s family and to the Chattanooga community of broadcasters and viewers who loved Bob.