BOB BLACKBURN, FUHS '42

Blackburn, Robert "Bob" 1924 - 2010

Bob "Voice" Blackburn, the original announcer for the Seattle SuperSonics, died peacefully of pneumonia Friday January 8th at Timber Ridge in Issaquah, WA. He was 85 years old.

Bob was born in Los Angeles to Earl and Opal Blackburn on October 14th, 1924. Bob grew up in Fullerton, CA. where he is on Fullerton High School's Wall of Fame. Blackburn was also inducted into both the Oregon and Washington State Sports Hall of Fame. Blackburn began broadcasting when 19 years old in Santa Ana, CA moving to KFAC in Hollywood. After two years there, he went to Fresno's KFRE to broadcast Fresno State football, basketball and the Fresno Cardinal Baseball games. During those four years he married co-ed Pat Hardin to whom he had been married for sixty-one years. In 1950 Blackburn moved to Portland where he spent most of the next 18 years as radio rights owner and announcer for Portland Beaver Baseball and Oregon State sports. He created large networks for both and had a disc jockey program. In 1967 Bob became the "Voice" of the Sonics and retired in 1992. He broadcast over 2300 games and at one time was voted one of the top three NBA announcers. The highlight of Bob's professional career was announcing the 1979 Sonic Championship game and having his banner raised in Key Arena. Bob later worked as an auctioneer and a tour director with wife Pat. In recent years, they were the spokespersons for Timber Ridge at Talus.

Preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Ella Mae Morris, Doris Jean McCann and Velma Robison. He is survived by his beloved wife, Pat and his six children, Bobby, Beth, Stan, David, Bonnie, and Kathy. Also surviving Bob are his 19 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; nephews and nieces; others he loved as his children; and his sister-in-law, Charlotte Lesan. He wants to be remembered as a kind man who loved his children, enjoyed talking with fans, and loved his God.
Published in Orange County Register on February 14, 2010

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