Robert Thomas Fletcher of Vancouver, Wash. passed away on June 10, 2007 at the age of 68. Bob was born April 15, 1939 in Falls City, Ore. to Alva LeRoy Fletcher and Audrey Emma Workman. Bob was a radio station manager and disc jockey for forty years. He was a District Manager for the Columbian Newspaper for 13 years and loved spending time with family and friends, fishing, boating and reading. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Linda Fletcher, seven sons, John, Mike, Richard, David, Mark, Matthew, Robert, and two daughters, Jeannette Gordon and Tamara Pittman as well as 21 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Al James Fletcher. Memorial services will be held on June 16, 2007 at 1:00 PM with a viewing at 11:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints, Vancouver Northstake Center, 11101 NE 119th St., Vancouver, WA.

Sad to hear of his passing. Robert T. Fletcher also known as: Bob Fletcher, R.T. Fletcher, Bob Duke & Big Daddy Duke had an extensive radio career as an Air Personality (DJ & talk show host), Salesman & Music Director, Program Director & General Manager.

He began in radio at KEED in Springfield, moving to KOMB Cottage Grove, then on to KBAR Burley Idaho, back to Oregon on KFLY Corvallis, to KRXL Roseburg back to Corvallis on KLOO. Mr. Fletcher became General Manager of Top 40 KWAY Forest Grove in 1965. On January 31, 1966 he moved to KGAR Vancouver where he joined the sales staff. In March 1966 Bob Fletcher became Program Director. He was P.D. when KGAR changed format to Top 40 as "Boss Radio" on May 1, 1966.

By July 1966 he was back on the radio pulling the 9-Noon shift as "Big Daddy Duke". In early 1967 he became both P.D. & Assistant General Manager. On December 15, 1969 he became General Manager as well as P.D. In April 1970 with KGAR backing away from Top 40, Bob Duke began his talk show 6-sunset.

On September 13, 1972 Bob Fletcher held three titles: KGAR Music Director, Program Director & General Manager. By March 1977 Bob Duke was pulling morning drive 6-10 through 1978 as well as continuing as GM & PD. Mr. Fletcher spent almost 13 years at KGAR.

Thanks for posting this, Earl. I'm sorry to hear about Bob. Do we have any idea what happened to him? 68 is fairly young! I always thought his name was R.E."Bob" Fletcher. If his middle name was Thomas, it makes me wonder where the "E" came from. He always seemed like a pretty good guy when you figure all the responsibility he must have had: 10 kids! I'll add to Craig's post, which appeared at the same time as my original one: I must be confusing his initials with someone else. It's been about 30 years, after all! Shortly after KGAR was purchased, Bob did a weekend talkshow on KKEY.

Semoochie: What name did he use at KKEY?

I'm almost sure it was Bob Duke.

Bob Duke was quite a guy...When I worked at KGAR he was GM-PD-ON AIR-NEWS DIR and I think he cut the traffic logs! Every paycheck was NSF but I didn't care...I was cutting my teeth on the radio! Bob was a tough guy but had a big heart.

I didn't know you worked there. That means there were 2 Dave Stones at KGAR as well as KISN, the same 2.

Its been a long time since Boss KGAR...But I think my handle was "Bobby Mitchell" there on weekends.

I recall Christmas morning, 1976, when I was the SECOND jock to hit the air after dark on KGAR. The first was Bob Duke, doing an hour from about 3am to 4am. It was supposed to be at 430pm Christmas Eve, when the old joint signed off and the new transmitter on Fourth Plain signed on. That lasted about 30 seconds, long enough for a poorly-insulated transmision line to short out. Turns out it had been a very dry winter during construction, but it rained that day just enough for moisture to hit the line - and blow the plate meter off the transmitter. After an all-night repair job (featuring a guest appearance by Marty Hatfield, who was in town with his family for Christmas), we got the thing going. Bob Duke stayed with it all those hours, and was one happy broadcaster when he finally got to enjoy more than 5,000 watts for the first time in his career.
Stoner, I believe I was at KGAR during that rare period of solvency (lots of Vancouver doctors' money), but I remember the NSF days, as well.
I wonder what Bob could have done with a decent owner (Gordon A. Rogers once bragged about putting a pay phone in the jock's room at a previous station) and an actual budget.
RJ

Bob was a sharp radio guy..Your right...He was always strapped with no cash and half ass signal.
Remember Johnny Dark (not the kisn original J. Dark) but the J.D on Kgar...I was always amazed that Kisn never picked him up. He was a great Top 40 jock. Wonder whatever happened to him????

Here's a KGAR music survey from 3/18/77. Bob was featured on the front cover.

http://www.divshare.com/download/989904-426

Someone mentioned to me that they heard Bob Duke on KWJJ-AM sometime after he left KGAR. It would have to be somewhere between 1978-79 and when it became KOTK.

That could be. I never asked him what he did after KGAR.