Post by John Quincy on Nov 29, 2006 21:09:05 GMT -5
We're sad to report that former WTMA DJ Bob (Daryl) Riley passed away on November 29, 2006. Bob was with the Mighty TMA between 1968 and 1973.
Gary Fischer, Media Services Director at Chattanooga State Technical Community College wrote:
"I regret to inform you that Bob Riley passed away Tuesday, November 28 at Parkridge Hospital here in Chattanooga. I found your email address in some of his correspondence covering his days at WTMA in Charleston. Bob’s love of radio was an inspiration to many in the Chattanooga area and he was personally responsible for launching quite a few careers in broadcasting in the area.
"The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the 'Bob' Daryl Riley Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Foundation Office, 4501 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37406."
Bob's sister April wrote: "I know that Daryl had many fond memories of his time at WTMA and was proud of his contributions to that station."
Comments from WTMA alumni about Bob:
Ted Bell wrote, "I am sad to receive news of Bob. Bob and I became really good friends while we were at TMA. Through this great web site,we connected again after all these years. He will be missed and I speak on behalf of everyone that knew him."
Terry Allen wrote, "I worked with Bob and still consider him to be one of the best afternoon drive jocks TMA ever had. His delivery and timing were without equal."
Bill Sharpe wrote, "John, how sad about Bob! I remember him well when I worked in news.. he was always a lot of fun to be around!"
Jerry Smith wrote: "The first time I met Bob Riley was the day I was offered the all-night radio show on WTMA in December 1970 when John Trenton, the P.D. suggested Bob needed a roommate and would give me the 25 cent tour introduction. Bob provided inspiration and humor during my transition from full time year round engineering student the previous 3 years to real radio disc jockey.
"The home accommodations were a 1950's dark-red trailer, where I disagreeigned sleeping quarters were wide enough for a twin bed and a 3-drawer storage box, provided the drawers with limits of a few inches of opening space to stuff my clothes inside. Those were transition days for me after 42 semester hour years where life had been commuting from college to home, or living within a rock's throw of the classrooms. In those days Bob Riley had two loves of his life-future wife Angie and John Gerald Trenton, whom Bob talked about like he was The Prince. Later, I met his parents and the list of loves grew by a few numbers. In retrospect, Bob Riley also loved TMA and anyone who walked through the TMA studio doors. The dumbest thing I recall doing at WTMA was the night Bob took Billy Smith out for a farewell 'dinner; as Billy was relocating to Myrtle Beach. Fortunately was able to make up the next day's final exams at the college missed due to the 'food' Bob provided at Pizza Village. If I recall Billy also spent the night on the couch after 'eating' too much.
"Got an email from Bob in 2002, inviting me to stop in for a visit in his new home town. He never mentioned that he was battling for his life after major surgery. Guess I'll have a second chance down the road to get reintroduced to Bob Riley, and once again it will be by the man Bob knows as The Prince. And perhaps Bob will show me around and offer up a place to stay once more."
Gary Fischer, Media Services Director at Chattanooga State Technical Community College wrote:
"I regret to inform you that Bob Riley passed away Tuesday, November 28 at Parkridge Hospital here in Chattanooga. I found your email address in some of his correspondence covering his days at WTMA in Charleston. Bob’s love of radio was an inspiration to many in the Chattanooga area and he was personally responsible for launching quite a few careers in broadcasting in the area.
"The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the 'Bob' Daryl Riley Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Foundation Office, 4501 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37406."
Bob's sister April wrote: "I know that Daryl had many fond memories of his time at WTMA and was proud of his contributions to that station."
Comments from WTMA alumni about Bob:
Ted Bell wrote, "I am sad to receive news of Bob. Bob and I became really good friends while we were at TMA. Through this great web site,we connected again after all these years. He will be missed and I speak on behalf of everyone that knew him."
Terry Allen wrote, "I worked with Bob and still consider him to be one of the best afternoon drive jocks TMA ever had. His delivery and timing were without equal."
Bill Sharpe wrote, "John, how sad about Bob! I remember him well when I worked in news.. he was always a lot of fun to be around!"
Jerry Smith wrote: "The first time I met Bob Riley was the day I was offered the all-night radio show on WTMA in December 1970 when John Trenton, the P.D. suggested Bob needed a roommate and would give me the 25 cent tour introduction. Bob provided inspiration and humor during my transition from full time year round engineering student the previous 3 years to real radio disc jockey.
"The home accommodations were a 1950's dark-red trailer, where I disagreeigned sleeping quarters were wide enough for a twin bed and a 3-drawer storage box, provided the drawers with limits of a few inches of opening space to stuff my clothes inside. Those were transition days for me after 42 semester hour years where life had been commuting from college to home, or living within a rock's throw of the classrooms. In those days Bob Riley had two loves of his life-future wife Angie and John Gerald Trenton, whom Bob talked about like he was The Prince. Later, I met his parents and the list of loves grew by a few numbers. In retrospect, Bob Riley also loved TMA and anyone who walked through the TMA studio doors. The dumbest thing I recall doing at WTMA was the night Bob took Billy Smith out for a farewell 'dinner; as Billy was relocating to Myrtle Beach. Fortunately was able to make up the next day's final exams at the college missed due to the 'food' Bob provided at Pizza Village. If I recall Billy also spent the night on the couch after 'eating' too much.
"Got an email from Bob in 2002, inviting me to stop in for a visit in his new home town. He never mentioned that he was battling for his life after major surgery. Guess I'll have a second chance down the road to get reintroduced to Bob Riley, and once again it will be by the man Bob knows as The Prince. And perhaps Bob will show me around and offer up a place to stay once more."
