Bob Chase

Bob Chase
Born	Robert Donald Wallenstein (1926-01-22)January 22, 1926 Negaunee, Michigan,U.S.
Died	November 24, 2016(2016-11-24)(aged 90) Fort Wayne, Indiana,U.S.
Sports commentary career
Team	Fort Wayne Komets(1953–2016)
Genre	Play-by-play
Sport(s)	Ice hockey Basketball American football Auto racing

Bob Chase(bornRobert Donald Wallenstein,January 22, 1926 – November 24, 2016) was an Americansportscaster,known for his long career callingplay-by-playfor theFort Wayne Kometshockey games. For 63 seasons, Chase called the action on radio and/or television. OnlyVin Scully,who called play-by-play for 67 seasons with theBrooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers,had a longer broadcasting tenure with a single franchise.

Chase married his wife, Muriel, on April 6, 1950. Because his Boss atWOWOthought the name "Wallenstein" was too lengthy for the airwaves, he took his wife's maiden name for use on the air.

Biography

Early life and career

Chase was born inNegaunee, Michigan.He played hockey as a child and attendedGraveraet High School.At the age of 17, he enlisted in theUnited States Navy,and served as a cryptographer duringWorld War II.Chase attendedNorthern Michigan University,where he graduated in 1952. In 1949, while attending Northern Michigan, Chase began his broadcasting career atWDMJinMarquette.Upon his graduation, he moved toFort Wayne, Indianawhere he was hired as a DJ at WOWO. He served a variety of roles at WOWO, including program director, DJ, marketing and promotions director, sports director, and program host. He retired from full time duties at WOWO in 2009.

Fort Wayne Komets (1953–2016)

Chase is best known for his association with the minor-league Fort Wayne Komets. He began his tenure with the Komets in1953as the team's co-announcer, and took over full-time duties in1954.For many years, Chase's Komets broadcast was the onlyInternational Hockey Leaguebroadcast on the air.Aided by the long range of WOWO's 50,000-watt signal, Chase's voice was known and heard throughout the Midwest and out to the East Coast – over 28 states in all, plus half of Canada – and overseas in Europe.

Chase broadcast over 4,500 Komets games throughout his career, including 526 of the 532 playoff games played during his time with the Komets. Chase also broadcast every IHL All-Star game played from the inaugural contest in 1962 until 1999, when the Komets left the league. Over the course of his career, Chase turned down the play-by-play job for theDetroit Red Wingsin 1962 in favor of his friend and incumbent,Bruce Martyn,and was considered for posts with theBoston Bruins,California Golden Seals,Minnesota North Stars,St. Louis Blues,andWashington Capitals.Chase called his last Komets game on May 15, 2016.

Other broadcasting history

Bob Chase was the only broadcaster of the IHL All-Star Game from the time he joined the Komets until 1999, the year the Komets left the IHL.

Along with his hockey duties, Chase covered high school basketball for 17 years.One of his notable basketball moments was when he covered the famed1954 Milan High Schooland their win in the state basketball championship. The 1954 Milan team was later memorialized as the team that inspired the 1986 movie,"Hoosiers".

Chase also broadcast Big Ten football for 10 years, and he announced theIndianapolis 500for 25 years.

Broadcasting style

Chase borrowed from a pair of Canadian broadcasters,Foster HewittandDanny Gallivan,who were famous for the"Hockey Night in Canada".His best critic was his father, Gunnard. The elder Chase offered key advice that the son molded into a presentation that became known to his followers as"Radio Rinkside",so named because of Chase's ability to describe the action in a way that left the listener with a feeling of being right there watching the game as it was being played.

Chase was famous for his colorful and enthusiastic calling of play-by-play. One of Chase's most often repeated cries evolved from his coverage of the breakaway. Fans know Chase for calling"He looks, he shoots, HE SCORES!"In addition, he rarely missed a chance to promote the radio station. Going into commercial breaks, he would remind listeners,"on WOWO, this is KOMET hockey".

Non-broadcasting activities

Beyond his duties as a sports announcer, Chase was often found behind the WOWO microphone interviewing famous personalities. His interview list includedElvis,the Beatles,Jim Brown,Frank Sinatra,Bob Hope,then Vice PresidentRichard Nixon,Gordie Howe,andArnold Palmer.

Outside the broadcast booth, Chase served as thegeneral managerof the Komets during the1989–90 season,which saw the Komets achieve a 37–34–11 record and a playoff berth.

Awards and honors

Lester Patrick Trophy

In a ceremony held on October 15, 2012, Chase was a recipient of the prestigiousLester Patrick Trophy.The trophy has been awarded annually since 1966 in appreciation for contributions to the sport of ice hockey in the United States. Chase became only the 5th broadcaster to receive this award.

Retired Jersey / Fort Wayne Komets Hall of Fame

In 1993, Chase's 40th season of broadcasting Komet hockey games, the hockey clubretired jersey number40 in his honor. It was raised to the rafters of theMemorial Coliseum,where it is permanently displayed with the otherjerseys retired by the team.

In 2003, after his 50th season of broadcasting Komet hockey games, Chase was inducted into the Fort Wayne Komets Hall of Fame.

Other honors

In addition to the Lester Patrick Trophy and the recognition bestowed by the Komets, Chase has received numerous other professional and non-professional honors. Included on that list are:

• 2000 – Inductee, Indiana Broadcasters Association's Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame
• 2001 – Named aSagamore of the Wabash.
• 2002 – Inductee, Baer Field Speedway Hall of Fame
• 2002 – Inductee, Indiana Sportswriters and Sports Broadcasters Hall of Fame
• 2006 – Inductee, Indiana High School Hockey Hall of Fame
• 2009 – Inductee, Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame
• 2009–10 –IHLBroadcaster of the Year
• 2010 – Recipient, Mad Anthony's Red Coat
• 2013 – Recipient, Key to the Fort, awarded by Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry
• 2013–14 –ECHLBroadcaster of the Year
• (Dates Uncertain) –UHL,CHLBroadcaster of the Year
• On June 27, 2017, the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Board of Trustees voted unanimously to rename the circle driveway in front of the Ticket Office in honor of Bob Chase. The street "Bob Chase Way" was officially unveiled with commemorative signage and a ceremony in the fall of 2017.

Fellow Lester Patrick Trophy recipient and Hall of Fame broadcasterMike Emrick,seen by some as the voice of hockey in America because of his broadcasting on theNHL on NBC,counted Chase as his mentor. In his formative years, Emrick routinely sent his broadcasts to Chase for critique. Before Emrick developed his own broadcasting style, he tried to imitate Chase.In January 2012, Emrick joined Chase and his broadcast partner of 33 years, former Komet all-star goalieRobbie Irons,in the Komet broadcast booth as the three shared play-by-play during a game in which Chase was honored. This joint effort fulfilled life-long dreams of both Chase and Emrick.

Illness and death

Chase died ofcongestive heart failurein the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day, on November 24, 2016. Chase was survived by his wife, four children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

In a sign of respect to Chase, his body lay in repose at center ice at theAllen County War Memorial Coliseumon November 29. Hundreds of fans filed past the open casket for the chance to see Chase one last time in the building where Chase worked his profession for his entire 63-year tenure with the Komets.The next day, a private ceremony was held for family and close friends. Several friends, family, and trade associates spoke about their relationship with Chase. The day ended with a military service at graveside. Chase was laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery inChurubusco, Indiana.

Bibliography

• (2009).Live From Radio Rinkside: The Bob Chase Story.Bob Chase, Blake Sebring (As Told By). <city, state>: Authorhouse.ISBN9781438944814