Farewell, Bob

Despite a certain serene beauty of its own, bleak and dreary Winter's promise is its passage into vibrant Spring, bursting with new life, new beginnings. Summer blesses us with growth - setting deep roots to produce in abundance. Autumn's gift is fruition of our endeavors. Sated, fulfilled, realized, Autumn surrenders to Winter's sleep, with its promise to turn to Spring again. That's the cycle of seasons, the cycle of life.

On Friday morning, we at WSBE Rhode Island PBS learned the sad news that our president and CEO, Robert "Bob" Fish, had passed into his Winter. With his trademark confidence and strength, Bob waged a fierce but brief battle with cancer. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his charming and dedicated wife, Jane, and their family. It's a loss we all share.

When Bob arrived at WSBE in December of 2005, it was my job to write the public announcement of his appointment, and I asked him for his bio and a photo. At that first meeting, shaking his hand, I sensed there was a lot more to this tall, imposing man than his outwardly reserved demeanor. There was an underlying energy, a... secret joke, if you will, that he was bottling up. The photo he sent to me (published here) showed twinkling, mischievous eyes despite the serious pose.

Sure enough, Bob lived up to that first impression. He filled any room with his commanding presence, booming voice and jovial laugh. He thrived on the "art of the deal," evidenced by his successful 40+ year career in radio and television broadcasting management. He was a deft negotiator - Bob had a vision all his own and just made it work. On his own terms. And everyone left as friends.

I vividly remember one incident when someone kept introducing Bob as the "general manager" at a station event. That really irked me - it seemed like a deliberate slight by someone who should have known better. When I talked to Bob about it afterward, he just smirked and said,

"It doesn't matter what they call me. They all know who's the boss in the room."

LOL! So true. You will be missed, Bob.

- written by Lucie Raposo

FCC Authorizes WSBE's Participation in RI Flood Recovery Fund Telethon

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted authorization to WSBE Rhode Island PBS to take part in the Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund telethon. The special event will be held on Friday, April 16 from 4 P.M. to 11:30 P.M., and is organized by the Rhode Island Broadcasters Association (RIBA).

"The FCC prohibits public broadcasters from raising money for any other cause but themselves, unless the station gets special permission. That permission came today," explained David Piccerelli, Rhode Island PBS vice president and chief financial officer. "We're delighted to now be able to participate fully in this important event."

Piccerelli said Rhode Island PBS had a contingency plan to participate in other, more behind-the-scenes ways had FCC authorization not come in time or been denied: The station is providing the studio space and the phone lines needed to handle calls from donors. Rhode Island PBS employees are also volunteering to staff the phone bank, working with dozens of employees from local television and radio stations who are also volunteering their time for the cause.

"Hundreds of our members, neighbors, and friends were affected by the flooding," Piccerelli said. "Some of our own employees were evacuated from their homes, and others pumped out flooded basements for days. The whole state was touched by this calamity to some extent. And too many people are still trying to recover three weeks later.

"We feel strongly that we should be part of this community effort. We're glad the FCC agreed."

The Rhode Island Flood Recovery Fund was established to provide financial assistance to those affected by the storm. The Fund will collect and distribute financial aid directly to those organizations that are helping with “unmet needs” of people affected by the flood. A committee of community leaders will guide the distribution of money to the appropriate agencies. People who wish to donate before Friday's telethon may do so by visiting www.liveunitedri.org.










WSBE Rhode Island PBS is owned and operated by the Rhode Island Public Telecommunications Authority, a quasi-public agency of the State of Rhode Island. WSBE Rhode Island PBS is a viewer-supported member of the Public Broadcasting Service. For more than 40 years, Rhode Island PBS has used the power of commercial-free media to educate, inform, engage, and inspire viewers of all ages in Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts, and eastern Connecticut. WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits over the air on digital 36.1; WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2. For TV schedules and more information about the programs and education services at Rhode Island PBS, visit www.RIpbs.org.

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Photo credits: 

(Top) Downtown Westerly, by Roger Benoit

(Bottom) River Avenue in Warwick, by Maria Lydon Barnes