Robert Colfax “Bob” Estes was born on this day in 1914, in Asheville, to Poindexter “P. D.” and Margaret Terrell Estes.
He grew up in very modest financial circumstances, and did not receive formal education beyond high school. However, he always loved to read and continued his personal enrichment throughout his life. He particularly enjoyed poetry and even memorized special verses that he could recite to his family.
After Bob explored several career possibilities, such as acting and merchandising, he began working in radio in Charleston in 1937. He worked in Durham for three years, then moved to Winston-Salem in 1941 and began working for WSJS.
Bob married Carroll Costello in 1939. They met while working in the Little Theatre in Asheville.
At WSJS, Bob was a radio announcer and he anchored the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. television news. He was the enunciator for the WSJS Spelling Bee for 10 years.
Bob retired in 1979 after 38 years at WSJS. He passed away in 2008.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
