BOB BRANDY
1930 - 2003


Bob Brandy Passes Away

 

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. 


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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.