Biography
In 1944, Bob Colling began his career as Announcer, board operator and Newsman at CHWK Radio in Chilliwack, B.C., the highlight being the 1948 Fraser River flood. Bob may well have been driving Canada’s first “radio car”, a 1948 Chevrolet 2-door, to provide live News coverage of this major event.
1949-50 was spent with Lorne Greene in Toronto at his famous broadcasting school. Greene’s staff included the CBC’s Andrew Allan, Eric Christmas and Lister Sinclair.
Bob moved to St. Thomas, Ontario, in 1950, where CHLO gave him the opportunity, as Farm Editor, to use some of the first portable tape recorders to interview area farmers for sponsor Ralston-Purina. The recorder was housed in a suitcase-size box, with an Operator always along to run the machine for Bob’s interviews.
In 1952, it was back to the West Coast, first to CKNW New Westminster, then CKMO Vancouver, and finally to the Newsroom at CKWX Vancouver in 1956 for a 10 year stay, during which staff was reduced from 64 to about 30. Highlights included 2-3 years of helicopter traffic and beach reports, as well as a stint doing Public Relations for the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE).
Edmonton became Bob’s home in 1966: “I felt I worked for many radio & TV stations during my quarter century with BN, retiring in 1991.” Broadcast News (BN) was the News service provided to Radio Stations by Canadian Press (CP).
Bob died of liver cancer on November 7, 2010, in Edmonton.
filed 2008 (rev. 2010)
Obituary
COLLING, Robert “Bob” 1928 – 2010 Lovingly remembered by Earla, wife of 61 years; daughter Sue; sons Mike and Steve and their spouses Jan and Fay; sister Betty Singer; granddaughter Sharelle and her husband Ryan. Bob was a proud co-founder of two charities which assist needy children. He and Dr. Jane Silvius established the Child Development Foundation in 1971 to help schools in Northern Alberta teach children with learning disabilities. The charity closed after 18 years and the business was sold to the employees. In 1988, Bob had found musician Bill Owen set up The Brail Tone Music Society to give free music lessons to blind children. The Brail Tone Choir was launched a few years later. Bob was a member of the 50 year club of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, having started his radio career in Chilliwack, B.C., in 1944. He retired in 1993 while with Broadcast News Ltd. in Edmonton. Bob was also a longtime and proud member, former secretary and president of the Lions Club International. In lieu of floral tributes, donations may be made in his name to The Brail Tone Choir, 107, 15207 Stony Plain Road, Edmonton, AB T5P 3Y4. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, November 12, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Hainstock’s Funeral Home, 9810 – 34 Avenue, Edmonton. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.hainstockedmonton.com . Hainstock’s Funeral Home & Crematorium, 780-440-2999. Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial