Robert R. Wells

Robert R. “Bob” Wells, 76, of Middletown, died Sunday, July 5, 2009, at his residence. He was born in Middletown on October 18, 1932 to parents Reese and Eva (Baker) Wells.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nancy J. (Back) Wells; two daughters, Pamela (Gary) Reardon and Connie (Jim) Wells-Smith; grandchildren, Logan Reardon, Lindsey Reardon and Stephanie Reardon; great grandson, Jackson Howard; and niece, Diane (Chuck) Williams.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Doris (Frank) Conway; and a son, Reese Edward Wells who died at age 39 in January 2000.

Wells was in the broadcasting industry for 38 years. Beginning his career at KKTV in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1953 as a television director and producer. From 1957-1964 he worked in Dayton and Cincinnati for both WLW-D, now WDTN, as the first director of the Ed Hamlyn newscast and WLW-T Channel 5 where he directed the memorable live television programs "Midwestern Hayride", "The Paul Dixon Show", "Ruth Lyons 50/50 Club", “The Bob Braun Bandstand” and “Peter Grant News”. In 1964 he was part of the team that began the new UHF station WKEF-TV, Dayton's third TV station, serving as program director and production manager. He then became a director-producer for WHIO-TV, Cox Broadcasting in Dayton in 1969. In 1976 he was promoted to marketing and promotion director, the post he held until retiring in 1990. He was named to the CBS promotion caucus committee in the 1980's which helps determine the best ways to implement each seasons advertising and promotion projects for the CBS network. He was honored with a number of awards from the Dayton Advertising Club, receiving a 1977 CLIO award and a 1980 Broadcasting Promotion award for the market campaign titled "Our Kind of Town".

Bob graduated from Middletown High School Class of 1952, the Air Force School of Communications and the Northwest Radio and Television School of Portland, Oregon. After retiring from broadcasting, he was named director of marketing and public relations for Mount Pleasant Retirement Village in Monroe. He served with the 5th Communications Group 2nd Comm Squadron as a TOT operator in Seoul, Korea, sending the first message to Okinawa announcing the signing of the truce at Panmunjon July 27, 1953.

Mr. Wells was a member of the Presbyterian Church where he was financial secretary for two years and was deacon on two different occasions. He was a longtime member and past president of the Middletown Kiwanis Club, the American Legion Post 218, the Elks Lodge, the Moose Lodge 501, life member of the VFW, past member of Forest Hills Country Club, board member of the Heart Association, volunteer at the Middletown Regional and Atrium Hospitals and a member of many other committees in the community. He was also a member of Senior Citizens, Friends of the Library, Bulls Run Arboretum, Veteran's War Memorial Committee, board member of Middletown Community Foundation, Weatherwax Golf Course board, 20 year Planning Committee, Middletown Architect Board, board member of Warren County Municipal League, and a member of the Dayton Broadcasters Hall of Fame. In 1999, Mr. Wells ran for City Council and held the office for two terms and served as Mayor on two different occasions.

Funeral Service will be held Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 10:00 am at WILSON-SCHRAMM-SPAULDING FUNERAL HOME, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd., Middletown with Father John Civille officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 - 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Entombment will be at Woodside Mausoleum with military honors conducted by the Middletown Combined Honor Guard.

Memorial donations may be made to Ohio Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 442174, Middletown, OH 45042 - OR - Bull's Run Arboretum, P.O. Box 425, Middletown, OH 45042.

Funeral Home:
Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding
3805 Roosevelt Blvd.
Middletown, OH
US 45044