One-time Gainesville radio mainstay dies

BLUE RIDGE - Robert "Bob" Phillip Schwab, 91, of Blue Ridge, a one-time fixture on Gainesville radio, has died.

Schwab died Sunday at Fannin Regional Hospital.

Schwab's career in radio spanned 57 years, from his start with WGGA (now 1240 ESPN Radio) in Gainesville where he began as a copy writer, worked his way up to station manager, later becoming the owner and operator of four radio stations, one in southern Tennessee, WLSB in Copperhill, and three in North Georgia, WPPL-FM in Blue Ridge, WLEJ in Ellijay, and WYYZ in Jasper.

Phil Hudgins, who will deliver the eulogy at Schwab's funeral, said Monday Schwab worked at WGGA from 1946 until 1962.

During his career, Schwab interviewed presidents Nixon, Ford, and Carter; numerous senators; and, many recording artists, some whom he came to know personally. He received Station of the Year awards several times during his career but his pride and joy was the Gabby Award from the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB). He was awarded this prestigious award in 2000 for being the top individual in over 400 radio and television stations in the state for excellence in broadcasting. Schwab retired from radio in 2003.

He was a member of Georgia Association of Broadcasters, the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters and the National Association of Broadcasters for many years.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11:00 in the Henry Cochran Funeral Chapel in Blue Ridge. Burial will follow at 3:00 in Alta Vista Cemetery in Gainesville.