Chattanooga's Channel 9 WTVC Obituary
Bob
Brandy, a legendary television figure in Chattanooga, passed away
Friday, February 28, 2003.
Bob
Brandy (1930 - 2003 )
Bob
Brandy was most well-known for his time on the Bob Brandy Show,
a favorite childrens' program featuring his former wife Ingrid, and
their horse Rebel. For 20 years, beginning in 1958, children throughout
the Chattanooga viewing area couldn't wait to get home from school to
watch Bob and his young guests play a variety of games. The most popular
always included a chance to sit on Rebel. Boy scouts, girls scouts and
school groups from far and wide will always remember their visit to
the old WTVC studios on Signal Mountain. In 1978 Mr. Brandy gave
up the show to become one of WTVC's top sales managers. He formally
retired two years ago after 43 years of dedicated service. However he continued
as a Consultant to the General Manager and Special Projects
Director. He will be sorely missed by his co-workers at
NewsChannel 9, and no doubt, by the entire community.
More
About the Bob Brandy Show Before there were superstar dunks and
action hero hunks, cowboys were king. Bob Brandy, along with his
faithful horse Rebel, proudly wore that crown in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Click to see larger picture.
The Bob Brandy show was actually born in Columbus, Georgia in 1956.
"There were three of us hired who could sing and be staff
announcers," Brandy recalled. "But because I played the
guitar, I'm the guy who got the kids' show."
It took some big business deals, and some persuasion, to rope Bob Brandy
into coming to WTVC-TV in 1958. And the rest is, as they say, history.
It would be Bob Brandy's last career move. The Bob Brandy show was on
the air for 20 years, signing off in 1978... but the Cowboy Crooner
stayed with WTVC-TV eventually becoming local Sales Manager. Bob
retired from WTVC in August 2001, but continues to help the station on a
part-time basis.
Nearly every baby-boomer from the Chattanooga area was on, or at least
watched the Bob Brandy show. He aired in the 5 pm time-slot, right after
the Mickey Mouse Club.... the time-slot now owned by Oprah. Cub
Scouts, Brownies, school baseball teams, kids from everywhere longed to
appear, take a ride on Rebel, and play the games to win a Moon Pie or
Golden Flake potato chips. Brandy was often asked by admirers what happened to children's programs
such as the Bob Brandy Show. "I respond by telling them
that most of the audience in the afternoon time period is adults,"
said Brandy. "I honestly feel network affiliates have given kids
over to cable, what have you. And I think that's unfortunate."
The Chattanoogan Obituary
Brandy, Bob
posted
February 28, 2003
Bob Brandenburg, who was known as Bob Brandy
for his longtime childrens program on local television, died
Friday, Feb. 28, 2003
. He was 72.
He was born in
Washington
,
D.C.
, son of
the late Robert L. and Mabel Myers
Brandenburg
.
Mr. Brandy began his career in radio in 1952 after graduating from the
Pathfinder School of Radio and Television. He took an announcing job with
WGBA radio in
Columbus
,
Ga.
, and moved
to WRBL, the CBS affiliate in that city nine months later.
He had been affiliated with WTVC NewsChannel 9 since 1958, retiring as
local sales manager in 2001. He was a member of Red Bank Presbyterian
Church and was a veteran.
At the time of his death, Mr. Brandy was consulting for the station and
raising money to pay for underprivileged children to attend the
NewsChannel 9 Science Theater.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Steven L. Brandenburg; and
a brother, Richard L. Brandenburg.
Survivors are his wife, Belinda G. Brandenburg; son, Michael E. (Sharon)
Brandenburg of Ellerslie, Ga.; two daughters, Sharon V. Brandenburg of
Panama City, Fla., and Rita C. Patterson of Chattanooga; four
grandchildren, Amy B. (Jason) Pearson of Ellerslie, Ga.; Ginger B. (Adam)
Hayes of Rome, Ga.; Mark Brandenburg of Chattanooga and Rebecca B.
(Daniel) Bost of Chattanooga; and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at
1 p.m.
Monday at
the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with the Rev. Everette
Gossett officiating.
Burial will be at
Hamilton
Memorial
Gardens
.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 and
6-8 p.m.
Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to WTVC NewsChannel 9 Science Education
Theater,
P.O. Box 60028
,
Chattanooga
,
TN
37406-0028
, to be
designated for assistance to underprivileged children.
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