Asheville News

News obit: Remembering newspaperman Bob Terrell

Jason Sandford June 2, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

The Asheville Citizen-Times notes the death of long-time sports writer, editor and columnist Bob Terrell in today’s print edition. The man had one heck of a newspaper career.

Bob came up in the 1950s and essentially never stopped writing. He wrote sports stories and news stories and columns. Decade after decade, he wrote, recorded and ruminated.

He was a story-teller, in the truest meaning of the word. It’s a role that we don’t really actively cherish any more. We just accept that there are storytellers in our midst. But when they’re gone, we notice. In the silence, in the lack of story, there is true loss. I don’t see anyone around who will fill that role.

Bob was simply a great guy. I don’t know how else to put it. Always sharp. Always friendly. Always ready to hang around and tell a tale. The quintessential stand-up mountain man.

I shepherded Bob’s column into the paper on a weekly basis as part of my editing duties for a few years at the Citizen-Times. Bob never cottoned to the computer — he always hand-delivered a type-written copy of his column, which then had to be typed into the C-T system. We never changed a word.

Bob had strong ties to the Rev. Billy Graham, and helped the newspaper, when the occasion rose, with connecting with the Montreat evangelist. I’m sure members of the Graham family will be in attendance at Bob’s funeral. I’ll post the details when I get them.

I hope Bob is resting well. I hope we never forget his stories.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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5 Comments

Real Reporter June 4, 2009

Bob was a wonderful storyteller, both in print and also in-person. His stories about baseball at McCormick Field over the years are priceless memories. A very gracious man who always took the time to answer questions about sports history in WNC. If you ever had trouble finding out facts about a story from days gone by, Bob was a wonderful resource…and usually had the specifics right in his head without looking them up. We’ll miss you Bob Terrell. God Bless.

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Ralph Roberts June 2, 2009

I knew Bob for most of life. He was a great friend, a highly talented writer, a storyteller par excellence, and the author of (by one estimate) well over 20 million words about Western North Carolina. I was privileged to publish several million of those words in some 40 books by Bob.

He won’t be forgotten and he touched many lives for the better.

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Brian Sarzynski June 2, 2009

Bob was the dean of WNC journalists and a class act through and through. I only met him on a few occasions, but fondly remember when he regaled me with tales of the early days of stock car racing in the mountains. He was a natural story teller in the Appalachian tradition. His voice was strong and his love for this area was evident in every column. He will be missed.

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Lena June 2, 2009

RIP, Bob! I proofed and layed out many a Bob columns – he always had a great tale to tell. I only had the pleasure of meeting him briefly once; he had such a presence about him whenever he stopped by the newsroom. He will be missed!!

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Melissa June 2, 2009

I absolutely loved the man.

When he dropped off his column (yes — typed!) he would usually sit in the chair next to my desk and share some tale about his days in the service (one time, under pressure from a senior officer, he typed 99 words a minute…but only Bob could tell it right.), or what was going on in his garden, or his next trip to the Holy Land.

He told me the trips were getting more popular, but less intimate. He liked sharing with a small group, not ones where he had to use a megaphone. He had a real sparkle in his eyes and was sharp as a tack. Nothing got by him.

So sad that he’s gone, but also, not…because Bob was a man of deep faith who looked forward to meeting his Creator. I’m sure he’s hearing what he always wanted to hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant…"

RIP, Bob Terrell! You were the best.

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