Bob Chase (born Robert Donald Wallenstein, January 22, 1926 – November 24, 2016) was an American sportscaster, known for his long career calling play-by-play for the Fort Wayne Komets hockey games.
Only Vin Scully, who called play-by-play for 67 seasons with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, had a longer broadcasting tenure with a single franchise.
[2] Aided by the long range of WOWO's 50,000-watt signal, Chase's voice was known and heard throughout the Midwest and out to the East Coast – over 28 states in all, plus half of Canada – and overseas in Europe.
Chase also broadcast every IHL All-Star game played from the inaugural contest in 1962 until 1999, when the Komets left the league.
Over the course of his career, Chase turned down the play-by-play job for the Detroit Red Wings in 1962 in favor of his friend and incumbent, Bruce Martyn, and was considered for posts with the Boston Bruins, California Golden Seals, Minnesota North Stars, St. Louis Blues, and Washington Capitals.
[2] Chase borrowed from a pair of Canadian broadcasters, Foster Hewitt and Danny Gallivan, who were famous for the "Hockey Night in Canada".
[4] Beyond his duties as a sports announcer, Chase was often found behind the WOWO microphone interviewing famous personalities.
His interview list included Elvis, the Beatles, Jim Brown, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, then Vice President Richard Nixon, Gordie Howe, and Arnold Palmer.
[6] In addition to the Lester Patrick Trophy and the recognition bestowed by the Komets, Chase has received numerous other professional and non-professional honors.
[1][14] Chase died of congestive heart failure[1] in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day, on November 24, 2016.
[2] In a sign of respect to Chase, his body lay in repose at center ice at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on November 29.