Bob Collins

Bob Collins (February 28, 1942 - February 8, 2000) was the morning man for WGN-720AM radio in Chicago. His show was the top rated morning show for WGN and kept the station at the top of the ratings. His show featured various conversation as well as some music.

Related Topics:
February 28 - 1942 - February 8 - 2000 - WGN - Chicago - Ratings - Music

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His folksy style appealed to a great many people, as his ratings numbers indicated. He was affectionately known as "Uncle Bobby".

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He enjoyed flying his airplane, riding his Harley and the Chicago Cubs.

Related Topics:
Airplane - Harley - Chicago Cubs

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He died in the afternoon of February 8, 2000, after his and a student pilot's plane collided upon approach to the runway at the Waukegan Regional Airport in Zion, Illinois. The student pilot was directly below him, and they were unaware of each others' presence until the collision. Collins attempted to steer his plane to a safe landing, but it crashed and burned atop a nearby building, killing him and a passenger. The student pilot and her instructor also crashed and died. There were no other fatalities. The official report indicated that the control tower personnel were unable to observe or communicate the perilous situation until it was too late.

Related Topics:
February 8 - 2000 - Waukegan Regional Airport - Zion, Illinois

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WGN held a memorial radio show, much of which was captured for a CD that was sold to benefit his favorite charities, the WGN Radio Neediest Kids Fund and the Salvation Army. Sprinkled through the CD was a list of funny and thoughtful observations from people of all ages, which he had read on what proved to be his final program that morning: "Things I've learned".

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