Former FCC Commissioner Bob Wells Dies At 94

Photo: Garden City Telegram

ROBERT "BOB" WELLS, who served as a Commissioner at the FCC in 1969-71 and was the longtime manager of several Midwestern radio stations over the years, died THURSDAY (11/7) in LAWRENCE, KS at the age of 94, according to the GARDEN CITY TELEGRAM, of which WELLS served as Publisher/GM in 1957-61.

WELLS started in radio in 1936 at GARDEN CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE and, after the war, worked his way up to  GM at KIUL-A/GARDEN CITY, KS in 1948, and later became GM of HARRIS RADIO GROUP and VP of HARRIS ENTERPRISES, owner of 9 stations in the MIDWEST.  Nominated by President NIXON, he was the first broadcaster to serve on the FCC.

FCC Commissioner AJIT PAI, a fellow Kansan, issued a statement on WELLS' passing, saying, "I was saddened to learn of the recent passing of former FCC Commissioner ROBERT WELLS ... Senator BOB DOLE set high expectations for his service, saying that “'t]he presence of men such as BOB WELLS in positions of high governmental authority is one of the greatest assurances we as Senators can provide the American people that the public interest will be served first, wisely and fairly.'  Commissioner WELLS did just that, promoting the public interest throughout his tenure at the agency.

"Commissioner WELLS’s career should serve as an inspiration to all Kansans, and indeed, all Americans.  Rising from a small town in the GREAT PLAINS, he went on to make an impact on the national stage.  In addition to serving at the FCC, he also became chairman of the Board of Directors of BROADCAST MEDIA, INC., the country’s largest music rights organization, and president of the ASSOCIATED PRESS Broadcasters ... I offer my condolences to his wife KAY and his entire family."

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