1923
Bob
2010
Bob Izzard
July 18, 1923 — September 16, 2010
Bob’s career as a news director and journalist spanned decades. In Amarillo, he worked on radio and television from 1948 to 1972 at KGNC AM-FM-TV, KVII TV, and finally at KFDA. He worked an additional 5 years at KTXS in Abilene, TX and finished his broadcasting career on radio with 14 KPUR. His final broadcast was in 1987. He was a founding member of the Texas Panhandle Association of Broadcasters and had been inducted into their Hall of Fame. Bob also enjoyed being Masters of Ceremonies for numerous racing and other public events.
Bob joined the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1943 and over the next few years flew 150 missions as a fighter pilot in Europe. The battles and campaigns he flew in included the Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe, Air Offensive Europe, Northern France, and Normandy. Two days after D-Day, on June 8, 1944, his plane was shot down over German-occupied France. Assisted by a farmer and members of the French underground, he returned to the Allied lines. He was in German-occupied France over three months. In his military career, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, ETI Ribbon with 6 Battle Stars, Presidential Unit Citation, Purple Heart, and the Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters. In 2004, he was inducted into the Distinguished Flying Corp Hall of Fame by the Texas Aviation Historical Society. He kept memberships in the P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots Association, Escape and Evasion Society, and was a charter member in the Texas Aviation Historical Society. He enjoyed promoting the Air Shows and aviation in general.
Bob was a great historian and his favorite topics were World War II and the Texas Panhandle. After his broadcasting career, he established Tangleaire Press with his wife, Kathryn and began writing, publishing, and distributing books. Over the next few years he wrote eight books on the Red River Wars and the early history of the Texas Panhandle. He also wrote two books on his experience in World War II.
Last but certainly not least, Bob loved his family and grandchildren. His daughter Robbie, two of children, and four grandchildren live in Juneau, AK. Her daughter Kyra and her family live in Eugene, OR. He was able to visit them recently and enjoyed hearing about their activities. His son Bill lives in Houston, TX and works as a senior accountant. Bob kept in close touch with him. His son Mark lives in Amarillo and has a son Michael. Bob adored Michael and enjoyed attending his academic and athletic activities.
He was preceded in death by his father Wesley Sherman Izzard, mother Helen Easterday Izzard, and his wife Kathryn Richart Izzard of 49 years.
He is survived by his daughter: Robbie of Juneau, Alaska,sons: Mark of Amarillo, TX, and Bill of Houston (Porter), TX. sister: Marilyn Hilderbrandt of Albuquerque, NM. Grandchildren: Kyra Kelly (Zak Johnson) of Eugene, Oregon, Tara Kelly (Eric Torgerson) of Juneau, AK, Thane Kelly (Julie Sanbei) of Juneau, AK, and Michael Izzard of Amarillo.
Memorials may be made to: America Supports You-Texas, PO Box 3218, Amarillo, TX 79116
Bob joined the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1943 and over the next few years flew 150 missions as a fighter pilot in Europe. The battles and campaigns he flew in included the Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe, Air Offensive Europe, Northern France, and Normandy. Two days after D-Day, on June 8, 1944, his plane was shot down over German-occupied France. Assisted by a farmer and members of the French underground, he returned to the Allied lines. He was in German-occupied France over three months. In his military career, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, ETI Ribbon with 6 Battle Stars, Presidential Unit Citation, Purple Heart, and the Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters. In 2004, he was inducted into the Distinguished Flying Corp Hall of Fame by the Texas Aviation Historical Society. He kept memberships in the P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots Association, Escape and Evasion Society, and was a charter member in the Texas Aviation Historical Society. He enjoyed promoting the Air Shows and aviation in general.
Bob was a great historian and his favorite topics were World War II and the Texas Panhandle. After his broadcasting career, he established Tangleaire Press with his wife, Kathryn and began writing, publishing, and distributing books. Over the next few years he wrote eight books on the Red River Wars and the early history of the Texas Panhandle. He also wrote two books on his experience in World War II.
Last but certainly not least, Bob loved his family and grandchildren. His daughter Robbie, two of children, and four grandchildren live in Juneau, AK. Her daughter Kyra and her family live in Eugene, OR. He was able to visit them recently and enjoyed hearing about their activities. His son Bill lives in Houston, TX and works as a senior accountant. Bob kept in close touch with him. His son Mark lives in Amarillo and has a son Michael. Bob adored Michael and enjoyed attending his academic and athletic activities.
He was preceded in death by his father Wesley Sherman Izzard, mother Helen Easterday Izzard, and his wife Kathryn Richart Izzard of 49 years.
He is survived by his daughter: Robbie of Juneau, Alaska,sons: Mark of Amarillo, TX, and Bill of Houston (Porter), TX. sister: Marilyn Hilderbrandt of Albuquerque, NM. Grandchildren: Kyra Kelly (Zak Johnson) of Eugene, Oregon, Tara Kelly (Eric Torgerson) of Juneau, AK, Thane Kelly (Julie Sanbei) of Juneau, AK, and Michael Izzard of Amarillo.
Memorials may be made to: America Supports You-Texas, PO Box 3218, Amarillo, TX 79116
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