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Sad news today that we’ve lost another of the Greatest Generation. Bob Barker, beloved host of The Price is Right for 35 years, has died at age 99.<\/p>\n
Before his illustrious career in television (that also led to a hilarious self-deprecating cameo in Happy Gilmore), Barker was a US Naval Aviator. As with most men of his generation, he was called to serve during WWII. He was trained as a fighter pilot, earning his carrier qualification on the Great Lakes carrier USS Wolverine (IX-64). He rose to the rank of lieutenant, junior grade, and was fully trained in 1945, flying the venerable F4U Corsair. Destined for a role in the Pacific Theater, as Barker told it, “I was a Naval Aviator, a Fighter Pilot. I completed all facets of my training, including my qualifying landings on a carrier. I was all ready to go, and when the enemy heard that I was headed for the Pacific, they surrendered. That was the end of World War II.\u201d<\/p>\n
He married his longtime wife before leaving the service, and apparently never flew an aircraft again. After college he went into broadcasting, hosting Truth or Consequences before TPIR. His military awards include the American Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal. His professional awards include 37 Daytime Emmy awards, Time Magazine\u2019s Greatest Game Show Host of All-Time, and several Lifetime Achievement awards.<\/p>\n
Godspeed, Lieutenant Barker. I’m imagining a heartfelt reunion with his longtime announcer and friend Rod Roddy calling him to the Pearly Gates with, “Bob Barker, come on down!”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"