If you’ve lived in Central Ohio for more than five minutes, you probably recognize the face. The calm delivery. That specific, steady voice that told us what was going happening in our neighborhoods every single night. For fifteen years, Bob Kendrick was a fixture at ABC 6 (WSYX) and Fox 28. He wasn't just a guy reading a teleprompter; he became part of the furniture in living rooms across Columbus.
Then, everything changed.
In late 2024, Kendrick hung up the microphone. It was the end of an era for local broadcasting, a field that’s honestly struggling to keep its footing in the age of TikTok and 24-hour doom-scrolling. But for people in Columbus, Bob’s retirement wasn't just another staff change. It felt like a neighbor moving away.
The Long Road to Broad Street
You might think Bob Kendrick grew up in Ohio, but he’s actually Canadian by birth. He’s got dual citizenship now, but he started his career way up north in British Columbia. Basically, he’s been at this for over 44 years. That is a lifetime in the TV business. Before he ever set foot in the WSYX studios on Broad Street, he was a heavy hitter in Denver at KUSA and in Tampa at WFTS.
He didn't start at the top, either. We're talking about a guy who worked as a waiter at a Chinese buffet and called bingo numbers just to make ends meet while he was trying to break into radio. There’s a funny story he’s told about actually falling asleep while calling bingo because he was so exhausted from working multiple jobs.
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When he finally landed in Columbus in 2009, he brought that "old school" journalistic weight with him. He joined at a time when local news still felt like the primary source of truth for a community. He and co-anchor Stacia Naquin became a "dream team" for many viewers. People liked their chemistry. It felt real, not manufactured by a corporate consultant in a suit.
A Career Defined by More Than Just Highlights
It wasn't all smooth sailing, though. In 2020, Kendrick found himself in hot water. During the George Floyd protests, he made a social media post that used the word "animals" to describe people who were looting and destroying property—specifically after a news crew's car was attacked.
The backlash was immediate. Some people were furious, seeing it as a racially charged comment. Others defended him, saying he was just angry about his coworkers being in danger. He eventually apologized, and the station kept him on, but it was a rare moment where the "objective anchor" mask slipped, and we saw the raw frustration of a guy watching his city burn. It’s one of those things that still comes up when you mention his name in certain circles around High Street.
Despite the controversy, his community work was pretty much unmatched. He wasn't just showing up to galas for the free food. He was deeply involved with organizations like Helpline, and in 2022, he and Naquin were named "Guardians for Good." He seemed to genuinely care about the people he was reporting on, which is a vibe that's getting harder to find in modern media.
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The Retirement: Where is Bob Kendrick Now?
So, where did he go? Well, he didn't just disappear into the woods. Bob Kendrick officially retired from broadcasting on November 26, 2024. His last day was a big deal at the station—lots of retrospective clips and heartfelt goodbyes from colleagues like Kurt Ludlow.
He and his wife, Dr. Mary Jo Kendrick—who is a well-known dermatologist at Riverside Methodist—decided to trade the hustle of Columbus for a quieter life in Washington Court House. They’ve been working on "Kendrick Manor," a home they’ve been fixing up.
- Gardening: He’s apparently a huge fan of tending to roses.
- Tinkering: He likes home projects and working with his hands.
- Music: He collects old phonographs and vinyl records.
- History: He’s been spending time learning about the history of Fayette County.
It’s a very "human" ending to a high-pressure career. Most TV people move to Florida or Arizona. Bob chose a small town in Ohio to plant roses. There’s something kind of cool about that.
Don't Confuse Him With the "Other" Bob Kendrick
Here is where things get confusing for Google and for people searching his name. If you search for "Bob Kendrick," you’re going to find two very famous guys.
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- Bob Kendrick (Columbus): The news anchor we're talking about.
- Bob Kendrick (Kansas City): The President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
The Kansas City Bob Kendrick is a legend in the sports world. He’s the guy you see on MLB The Show narrating the Negro Leagues storylines. He’s currently leading a $35 million "Pitch for the Future" campaign to build a new museum. He’s an incredible storyteller and a historian.
Our Columbus Bob? Also a great storyteller, but he’s the one who gave you the weather and the crime reports for fifteen years. Just make sure you know which one you're looking for before you book a guest speaker for your event.
The Legacy Left Behind
Local news is changing. Stations are being bought up by big conglomerates, and the "local" feel is being bleached out. Bob Kendrick was one of the last of a certain breed of anchor. He wasn't trying to be a national star; he was happy being the guy Columbus trusted.
His departure left a gap at WSYX that’s been hard to fill. It's not just about finding someone who can read lines; it's about finding someone the community feels comfortable with. In a world of "fake news" and "alternative facts," Bob was a steady hand.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're missing that familiar face on your 6:00 PM news, here’s how you can stay connected or fill the void:
- Follow the Station Archives: WSYX has a massive library of Bob's old "On Your Side" segments and special reports on their YouTube channel. It's a great way to revisit some of the bigger stories in Columbus history.
- Support Local Journalism: The best way to honor a career like Kendrick's is to keep watching local news. Whether it's ABC 6, 10TV, or NBC4, these reporters are the ones on the ground in Franklinton and Clintonville when things go sideways.
- Check out Fayette County: If you’re ever driving through Washington Court House, keep an eye out. You might just see a familiar face tending to some roses or browsing an antique shop for old records.
Bob Kendrick’s story is a reminder that even in a digital world, people still value a human connection. He wasn't perfect, and he didn't try to be. He was just Bob from the news. And for a lot of us, that was more than enough.