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Robert Wells Obituary
Robert "Bob" Wells, 94, passed away Thursday afternoon in Lawrence
He was born on a farm in rural Finney County, Kansas on March 7, 1919, and educated at Garden City High School and Garden City Community College. He served in North Africa in World War II and retired from the U.S. Army Reserve with the rank of major.
In 1969, President Nixon appointed him to the Federal Communications Commission, the first broadcaster to serve on the FCC.
Bob started his broadcasting career at KIUL in Garden City, Kansas, where he served as general manager beginning in 1948. Later, as general manager of the Harris Radio Group and as Vice President of Harris Enterprises of Hutchinson, Kansas, he oversaw nine radio stations throughout the Midwest.
He was also the Publisher of the Garden City Telegram from 1957-1961.
Bob was a past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the largest music rights organization in the nation, and he served as President of the Associated Press Broadcasters and Member of the Board of Directors of the Associated Press.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Kay, of the home, two sons – Kent and wife Debbie of Alexandria, Virginia, and Kim and wife Bonnie of Lawrence, five grandchildren – Katherine Booth and husband Jamie of Littleton, Colorado, Ben of Atlanta, Georgia, Nat and wife Christine of New York City, Trevor of Long Beach, California, and Bryan of Long Beach, California, and one great grandchild, Ford Holden Booth of Littleton, Colorado.
A memorial service will be held at the Carnegie Building, 9th and Vermont, in Lawrence on Monday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m.
The family suggests contributions to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Wells
6 Entries
Paul Stevens
November 13, 2013
Dear Kay,
I just learned today of Bob's death and I wanted you to know he and you are in my prayers. I will always remember fondly my AP visits to Garden City and how you both were so hospitable during my stay, with dinner at your home or at Southwind. Bob contributed so much to the AP and to journalism, and I am proud to have known him.
God bless.
Paul
November 13, 2013
Dear Kay and family... Marilyn and I send our condolences to you. Bob was a great friend to us, and a great friend to radio broadcasting. He gave me my first job on May 1, 1950.
Kay Melia...Goodland, Ks.
Meredith Yorkston
November 11, 2013
Kay, Kim and Kent,
Dave and I, along with Anne and Mary Margaret send our deepest sympathies to all of you. Oh what a wonderful treasure Bob was! I will never forget his wonderful sense of humor and the twinkle in his eyes. I will also never forget how very interesting his stories were. As a child and young adult, I always thought the room "lit up" when he came in.
I am so grateful for all he did to introduce me to the world of politics, beginning with Bob Dole's Senate campaign in 1968. Although no longer involved in that realm in a personal way, I still remain keenly interested in the debate and discussion, in part, because of Bob's influence.
We send all our love and prayers your way.
Meredith Masoner Yorkston
and family
James "Jim" Pearce
November 11, 2013
Please accept my sincerest condolences on your loss. He was a friend to my Father Marion Pearce and
Mother Lorraine Pearce McCarty in Garden City. Mom also worked for Mr. Wells in the 1950's selling KIUL advertising “outside of Finney County”. He was a very fine gentlemen.
Glee & Jerry Smith
November 10, 2013
Dear Kay and family,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time in your lives. We'll always remember how Bob barbecued the pork roasts for our PEO event. May God's presence in your lives -- and all the wonderful memories you have, sustain you. Love, Glee and Jerry
Paula Baum
November 9, 2013
Dear Kay and Family,
On behalf of Curt, Jennifer,Randy and Valerie, I want to express our sincere sympathies on Bob's passing. He was such an amazing man. He was so witty and smart and so sweet to us and our kids. I will never see carrot cake without thinking of Bob! Love to you all!
Paula and Curt
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Warren-McElwain Mortuary & Cremation Services - Lawrence Chapel120 W 13th St, Lawrence, KS 66044
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