Jan. 26, 2003

Truman Mourns The Loss of Long-Time "Voice of the Bulldogs" Bob Carlson

On Saturday morning, the 38-year "Voice of the Bulldogs" Robert "Bob" Carlson died after a lengthy illness. Carlson began broadcasting Bulldog football and men's basketball in 1954 and logged more than 215,000 miles doing both Bulldog and Kirksville Senior High Tigers athletics.

Carlson attended more than 2,500 basketball games and 700 football games, frequently not returning home until the wee hours of the morning, but always making the early sportscast.

He was inducted into the Truman Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988 and went into the Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame in June of 1990. At that time, he was one of only two broadcasters in the Missouri Hall of Fame.

When asked what sport he liked best, he said "I guess it depends on which ever one is in season."

He was a native of Fairfield, Iowa, graduating from Fairfield High School in 1942. Carlson attended Parsons College in Fairfield before starting his broadcasting career. He worked for KBIZ in Ottumwa, Iowa; KROX in Clinton, Iowa; and KFRB in Great Falls, Mont., before moving to Kansas City to attend the Central Radio and Television School. He joined the staff at KIRX in Kirksville, which carried Bulldog broadcasts, in 1949 and retired in August of 1992 after 43 years of service.

Carlson is survived by his wife, Odean, son Doug, and daughter Denise.

Donations to the Bob Carlson scholarship fund can be made through Travis Noe.