Abilene People: Bob Bartlett

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Today’s guest on the Abilene People podcast is Abilene’s anchor and a true local legend—Bob Bartlett. For more than 50 years, Bob has been a steady presence on Abilene’s television screens. Nearly 46 of those years have been spent at KTAB, where he has served as the trusted evening anchor, delivering both breaking news and the stories that have shaped our community. His official KTAB anniversary falls on October 6, but his influence reaches back well beyond that milestone. In our conversation, Bob reflects on some of the defining moments of his remarkable career. He recalls being on the air for much of September 11, 2001, guiding viewers through the unimaginable events of that day. That broadcast ended with an emotional gesture—receiving a small American flag lapel pin, one he has faithfully worn every day since. As a pilot himself, Bob also speaks about the courage of the passengers aboard United Flight 93, who made the ultimate sacrifice in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. His stories stretch far beyond the Big Country. Bob shares about sitting down with Ronald Reagan, and about flying into Mogadishu, Somalia, aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130—a mission where he suddenly realized he might have been in the crosshairs of a sniper. Closer to home, he remembers both walking the wings of a biplane and the deluge of a flood that left his own neighborhood underwater. Even then, Bob set aside personal loss to be at the anchor desk, reporting live so Abilene could stay informed. That unwavering sense of duty has defined his entire career. And while Bob takes journalism seriously, he still enjoys the lighter side of life. He closes our conversation with humorous stories of being recognized far from home—even in other states and countries—with the familiar greeting: “Hey, you’re Bob Bartlett!”