Bob West

Robert Mark West SMITHFIELD - Bob West retired in 1998 after 50 years as a radio and television journalist and 34 years with WTKR TV Channel 3 News in Norfolk. He was best known for his series, "Points West" which was featured on the 6 o'clock news for 12 years, ending with his retirement. At age 77, Bob's earthly life ended peacefully Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011 at his home with family and friends at his bedside. He is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Julia Milner West; his five children, Stephen L. West and partner Dorothy Dallman of Twin Falls, Idaho, Robinn W. Pace and husband Shawn of Virginia Beach, Leigh W. Abraham of Aliso Viejo, Calif., Mark R. West and wife Brenda of Virginia Beach, their mother, Elizabeth 'Betty' Rochelle West, and Bob's oldest daughter from his first marriage, Deborah Ann West. In addition, Bob is survived by stepchildren, Sonya K. Collins and husband Dennis, Rani L. Franovich and husband Michael and Robert T. Watkins. Left to remember their Grandpa's stories are his grandchildren, Gregory and Ryan Stacy, Zachary West and Emilee Elena Abraham; stepgrandchildren, Amber K. Roope and R. Kyle and Tatum L. Watkins. Devoted friends who helped care for Bob at the end of his life are Jim and Julie Carneal, Peg Leopold and Belinda Sanders. Bob traveled the back roads of Southeastern Virginia, Virginia's Eastern Shore and Northeastern North Carolina talking with the local folks, working on his special "Points West" stories. Bob described the program as "interesting people doing interesting things in interesting places." Born April 7, 1933 in Wilmington, N.C., to Dr. James Kenneth West and Edith Elizabeth Bulluck West, Bob began his broadcast career in 1948, while still in high school in Sanford, N.C. He was educated at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Class of 1954. His television career began in 1954 back in his hometown of Wilmington as part of the original television staff when WMFD-TV first went on the air. Bob helped set national standards for local coverage of news events, including coverage of Hurricane Hazel in 1954. In the 1980s Bob originated, produced and was featured in a television documentary series, "Winds of Change." One of his programs in the series featured the possible impact of oil drilling off Virginia's Eastern Shore. Crucial information from the series was used as source material for Virginia legislative hearings on off shore oil drilling. In 1988, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger presented Bob with the Alexander Hamilton Ohio State National First Place Award for his 1987 Bicentennial documentary, "The Constitution: The Virginia Connection," on Virginia's contributions to the U.S. Constitution. A memorial service and celebration of Bob's life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, in Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, 45 Main St., Newport News, VA 23601. His cremains will be scattered in special places by his family in the future. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory be made to The Dwelling Place Shelter for Homeless Families, 545 W. 37th St., Norfolk, VA 23508; or Sentara Hospice Care, 154 Burnetts Way, Suite 102, Suffolk, VA 23434. Special appreciation was expressed by Bob during his illness with congestive heart failure for the compassionate and never-ending kindness of his medical team: Allison Fillmore, RN, Sharon Royster, MSW and his Hospice Aide, Virginia Parrish, all from Sentara Hospice, Suffolk. Cremation & Funeral Services of Tidewater, Norfolk, assisted the family.