When Bob Gass first joined the WWL staff in the 1970s, it was for its sister radio station, and not television. Even when he made the switch to Channel 4, HD signals, digital technology and the internet were still decades away.
During his 39 years at WWL-TV, he helped the station transform into the digital age, while maintaining its leadership position in the industry and the New Orleans market. Now, after four decades at the station, WWL-TV's Director of Technology and Chief Engineer, is planning for retirement at the end of December.
On Thursday, co-workers past and present gathered in the Channel 4 studio to celebrate his retirement.
"Bob may be leaving us, but he will always be here in a way -- in those who he taught and mentored and in a very physical way in the technological improvements and renovations to our building that he helped guide," said Tod Smith, WWL-TV president and general manager.
Over the past two years, Gass has helped direct extensive renovations to WWL-TV's N. Rampart Street facility, including a new studio and renovations to the newsroom, engineering, sales and administrative offices. He has also overseen technological advancements in WWL-TV and WWLTV.com's news and engineering departments as they continued the transition into the digital age.
Throughout the renovations and every project he has been involved in, colleagues complimented him on always keeping a calm demeanor and "always being a gentleman," Smith said.
Gass began his career at WWL Radio, when both it and the TV station were owned by Loyola University. He worked in a wide variety of roles, before transitioning to WWL-TV, where he also handled many roles over the years, including as an audio and video engineer, camera operator on both studio and remote broadcasts. In 2005, he was a leader of the engineering team that kept WWL on the air for continuous coverage of Hurricane Katrina.
He and his wife Joan visited with friends and co-workers at Thursday's party in the Channel 4 studios. He will retire at the end of the year.
