One of the beloved icons of Arkansas broadcasting has passed away.
Bob Knight, the owner of the Mountain Lakes Broadcasting Corporation and manager of multiple radio stations in Mountain Home reportedly died on Thursday night at 76 years old.
KTLO, the radio station owned by Knight, was the first to make the announcement:
“A Mountain Home man who became a legend in Arkansas broadcasting but always kept his community at the forefront of his life has died.”
Despite all of his numerous business successes, he was perhaps best known for his morning show where he declared “it’s time to rise and shine” just after 6am each day to Twin Lakes Area residents.
His show was a source of inspiration and hope during stormy and often troubled times. He was the voice of calm and wisdom for those in his community.
A Shining Career
Bob Knight was no rookie to radio.
At just 23 years old, he first began his career at the KTLO radio station in 1968. He later purchased the station with a group of investors including two local doctors, Johnny and Bobby Ahrens.
But that was only the beginning.
In 1994 at the age of 49, Knight then became partners with Danny Ward and his wife, Velma, and Charlie and Scottie Earls to launch the “Mountain Lakes Broadcasting Corporation.” This corporation would later be the consolidated force that Bob Knight and his partners would use to consolidate radio stations under their corporate umbrella.
In the late 1990s, the stations soon purchased KCTT and KBOD, respectively.
More Than Just Business
Not only was KTLO a staple of the community, but even Bob Knight’s name itself became a symbol of community help and volunteering.
For the last 16 years, Knight served as president of the Mountain Home Education Foundation Board of Directors. His service was so important that they even inducted him into the Mountain Home Education Foundation Hall of Honor in 2009.
And that’s not all. He served as presidents of other reputable boards, including:
- Mountain Home Lions Club
- Baxter County Razorback Club
- Mountain Home Industrial Park Board
- Mountain Home Planning Commission.
And that’s not including his past board memberships, including:
- Mountain Home Area Chamber of Commerce
- Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation
- Arkansas State University-Mountain Home Advisory Board
Please Stay Tuned For Updates
No funeral arrangements have been announced yet to the general public. Decision are still pending.
We’ll be sure to release more updates soon.
