BY: Kerry M. Kirspel
There’s probably not a Baby Boomer alive in the Ark-La-Tex who doesn’t remember “Bob and His Buddies.”
Way back in the early 1960s, Bob Griffin was an affable, avuncular children’s TV show host on KSLA with a pet rabbit and a never-seen-but-heard “alligator” under his hat. Bob read Dr. Seuss stories, introduced cartoons and spread good-natured cheer over the airwaves to youngsters like myself.
Bob Griffin died earlier this week, to my sorrow, at the age of 85. And he proved to be a good friend and mentor to a fresh-out-of-college journalist.
Years later, while serving as a journalism intern at the late, lamented Shreveport Journal in 1979, I met Bob face-to-face. In addition to (still) being on KSLA-TV, he was a regular contributor to the afternoon newspaper. Being raised to always respect one’s elders, I began my first conversation with him with “Mr. Griffin” — which got a big laugh in the newsroom, none bigger than from Bob himself.
“Don’t call me, Mr. Griffin,” he said with a big grin. “Call me Bob.”
That’s the kind of man Bob — or simply “Griffin,” as some called him — was. You were always on a first-name basis with him, no matter what your age.
Over the years, Bob was a regular fixture in the Today (features) section of the Journal, often accompanying the staff for lunch at local restaurants. He always had a smile on his face, and nothing ever seemed to faze him.
The late Marge Fisher would often talk him into taking us across Lake Street to the Chateau Hotel to treat us to an afternoon glass of wine. Oh, sure, he sometimes grumbled a bit (though you could tell he didn’t really mean it), but he would buy us all a glass of Chablis as we casually conversed.
He was genuinely interested in anything anyone had to say. I don’t think he had an enemy in the world. That grin spoke volumes of the man.
I remember one time, the Today gang was treating Bob to a birthday lunch at some downtown eatery. A man joined us who turned out to be a local ventriloquist with a yellow duck as his partner, who proceeded to croon “Happy Birthday” to Bob in a voice reminiscent of Katharine Hepburn. Although Bob seemed mildly embarrassed by all the fuss, he laughed heartily at the humorous musical tribute to him.
I lost touch with Griffin after the Journal ceased publication in 1991 (apart from a single editorial page that continued for a while in the rival Times), but he could still be seen on television, interviewing sports figures, both local and nationally known, or regaling viewers about one of his many trips to foreign lands (he was an exceptional travel writer for the Journal), or informing citizens about the local nightlife.
Sometimes our paths would cross — at the grocery store or at a press conference. He always had a cheery “Hi” to share with you.
I think it’s somewhat fitting that Bob began his television career with a children’s show with the humble title of “Bob and His Buddies.” Somehow that title aptly encapsulates his life. Bob made thousands of “buddies” over the years, including one fresh-faced journalist just starting his career.
And all of those buddies will miss him greatly.
Rest in peace, Bob. And thanks for the friendship.
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The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 at Emmanuel Baptist Church. That's at 5850 Buncombe Road. A graveside service for the family only will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Community Renewal or the charity of your choice.