Year Born: 1934
Year of Induction: 1996
Pioneer – Member of CAB Hall of Fame
MacLaren, A. Robert “Bob” (1934- )
Bob MacLaren spent his entire career in radio working for only one station – CKBW Bridgwater, Nova Scotia. He ran the gamut from a novice 17-year-old announcer to General Manager – handled every job in the business and racked up 42 years in the industry. Bob mastered every air-shift, covered news, sports, commercial production and open-line shows. . From 1961 to 1989, while continuing to host music shows and do newscasting, Bob was also CKBW’s Program Director.
In 1974, Bob and his partners Jamie MacLeod and Robert Lowe, purchased CKBW and operated the station until 1989 when they sold it to New Brunswick Broadcasting. Bob stayed on as Vice-President and General Manager until he retired January 31, 1995 to pursue his second passion —- golf!
In the community, Bob was active in sports and served as President of the Bridgewater Minor Hockey League while his sons were playing hockey. In 1971 and 1981, he was President of the Bridgewater Golf Club. He served a stint on the Bridgewater Parks and Recreation Commission, during which he chaired a committee that brought all of the town’s facilities and programs under one organization. For this accomplishment, he received in 1981 the Provincial Volunteer Award, and was presented with “The Key to the Town of Bridgewater”.
Within the broadcasting industry, Bob served several terms on the Atlantic Association of Broadcasters’ Executive, and was President of the AAB for 1984-85. At the AAB’s Annual Convention in 1995, Bob was presented with the association’s Broadcast Recognition Award and given Honorary Life Membership.
In 1996, Robert A. MacLaren was inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame.
Written by J. Lyman Potts – January, 1997