Robert “Bob” Wells

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.