Gordon Forgey

Robert “Bob” Russell Curtis died last week. He was 87.

Bob was the long-time announcer for the University of Idaho Vandals. He called Vandal sports for 51 years, covering hundreds of football and basketball games. He rightfully was known as the ‘Voice of the Vandals.’

His broadcasting job brought him celebrity and many honors. Some people knew him only as a vibrant sports announcer and a true supporter of Vandal sports. He was dedicated, tenacious, tough and respected.

His death has prompted many prominent sports figures to recount stories about him. Newspapers have run detailed features about him.

This was the famous Bob.

He seemed to live a separate life back home.

That home was rural Whitman County. He was raised here, going to school in Garfield. He later graduated from Washington State College in communications and eventually became involved in announcing sports.

Here he was an active farmer and rancher for much of his life. He lived outside Garfield. He regularly played golf with old school chums at local courses and regularly played pitch and rummy at a Colfax tavern with farmers and townspeople.

He was not so much a public figure here and rarely mentioned his other life. He was just a well-known colorful local and seemed to like it that way. Bob wasn’t shy. He liked attention. Even his coiffed white hair seemed to demand it. In fact, on Main Street, he was much like his public persona, audacious and vibrant.

Bob is not the first Whitman County celebrity. Many famous people have come from here.

He is just one that made this his home, and he will be missed.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher