He came into the living rooms of hundreds of thousands of Alabama families on their TV screens for 32 years.
Long-time WSFA-TV news anchor Bob Howell has died.
He broadcast during a different era of TV news, when it could be called "journalism."
He was a younger Walter Cronkite of Alabama.
On his last night on screen, he ended with the catch phrase, "Stay classy, Montgomery." There is some doubt as to whether the immediate city of Montgomery complied with Howell's admonition. Maybe the outlying areas did.
When he retired in 2012, WSFA News made these observations:
Bob's presence in the River Region has represented a standard of excellence anchoring news on WSFA and has been a fixture on television sets in central Alabama for more than five decades. He has had the job of delivering the day's news to thousands of viewers with a calm, trusted, steady and caring approach through difficult, challenging and happy times.
Howell replied:
"Since first arriving in Montgomery in 1976 I've been honored to have anchored our news coverage of just about every major event in Alabama." Howell said." "I'm resigned to the fact that I'll miss the excitement of working at WSFA and in television news, but I plan to enjoy other opportunities and challenges following my retirement from television news. I feel I still have a lot to offer."
For years, Howell's political color commentator on the air was Bob Ingram, a columnist, newspaper writer, and former gubernatorial assistant under Wallace and Brewer. Ingram's son Ragan Ingram, a lobbyist, explains their impact:
As a newspaperman, Dad had the privilege of a front row seat to American history — the Montgomery Bus Boycott, “Segregation Forever” speech, and the Stand in the Schoolhouse door. He was blessed to interview Presidents, Governors, politicos galore, and giant figures such as Dr. King.
I’ve always said no one had more fun in their work than Dad. And I believe this his time was the most fun while working, sitting next to Bob Howell. Dad learned of the incredible reach of television. Bob was a pro who taught an old, ink-stained dog a whole new bag of tricks. Dad was never a ‘TV guy,’ but Bob made it a lot easier for him.”
Bob Howell was the calming, authoritative voice of a generation in “Tall Tower Country.” Rest in peace, Bob. I’d like to think Dad and Victor Irving are waiting on you to give you the business about something. Prayers for Paula, Brock and Alex.
Alabama's semi-official historian David Azbell gave this humorous anecdote about Bob Howell and gubernatorial candidate Bob Riley:
Here’s a fun anecdote about Bob that I witnessed myself. During the 2002 gubernatorial election, Bob Howell, who had temporarily retired from WSFA, introduced Bob Riley at a campaign event with his resonant broadcaster’s voice. Riley then began his remarks by saying, “I’ve always imagined that God’s voice sounds a lot like Bob Howell’s, which is unfortunate for me because after hearing that introduction, my voice sounds a lot like Gomer Pyle’s.”
Bob Howell was a son of Alabama, through and through. He started in radio during high school in his hometown of Geneva. Then five years in TV news in nearby Dothan.
Then it was the big move to Montgomery's WSFA in August 1976, anchoring the 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts:
“He spent the next 22 years anchoring more than 10,000 live newscasts and serving as the News Department's Managing Editor. He also reported news from major cities around the country and had several foreign assignments covering stories in England, France, Germany, and Kuwait. During that time Howell also produced award-winning documentaries, hosted WSFA's "Newsmakers", "Alabama Illustrated", "Inside Alabama's Legislature" and co-hosted the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and the Children's Miracle Network fund raisers.”
Howell had left the station in 1998, but returned in June 2004 to again anchor the news at 6 and 10 p.m. He also hosted a weekly feature called "Exploring Alabama with Bob Howell" which took him around the state reporting on interesting people, unique places and pertinent issues. Howell's wealth of knowledge of the significant issues, personalities and news events in the communities served by WSFA 12 News was a welcome addition.
"Since the '70s Bob Howell has been a mainstay in this region and an important member of the WSFA 12 News team," said WSFA 12 News' Vice President and General Manager Collin R. Gaston. "His wisdom, demeanor and desire to be the best have kept this station on top during all the years he has been associated with it,” said Gaston.
After leaving the air, Howell became the first Director of Alabama State University's new Center for Applied Technology and Communications.
On his Facebook page, Bob Howell gave his life quote:
"Never confuse motion with progress."
Since Bob Howell left the anchor's chair in 2012, there has been a lot of motion in the TV news world. Little of it could be called "progress."
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