The Adventure Story of a Local North County Legend
Happy 90th Birthday, Bob Barbin !
Traveling through history with Robert “Bob” Barbin as he shared his story was a true-life adventure. Many North Country residents no doubt remember Bob as “THE Voice” of local radio. Bob brought the world to his devoted listeners for over 44 years in broadcasting, reporting on sports, traffic, current events and conducting on-air interviews.
His Sunday all-French program attracted listeners from as far away as Sherbrook Canada. He had regular callers from Canada reporting their local news, who enjoyed listening to the French records which Bob purchased at a shop in Quebec.
“Swap Shop” was an instant success for WMOU, thanks to Bob. Listeners looked forward to buying, selling and trading their wares live over the radio waves. Swap Shop was an institution in the area for decades, long before Facebook Marketplace was ever a thought.
Bob created a “Homemaker” segment that was adoringly followed for its helpful household hints. One day Bob confessed on air that he didn’t know how to cook and didn’t plan to learn. This set the airwaves on fire- outraged listeners reprimanded Bob for his hypocrisy!
Bob could often be seen out in the community conducting remote broadcasts of all sorts. A favorite for listeners was his ‘People on the Street.” He would pose a question to passers-by, broadcasting impromptu responses over the airway. He maintained his neutrality and made everyone feel at ease as they shared their opinions for all to hear.
His portrayal of “Santa” on air was so realistic and convincing that anxious boys and girls would send their letters to the station- some years in excess of 300. Pepsi-cola was a station sponsor, so each letter writer would receive a 6-pack of soda.
Locals soon came to know “Barbinisms,” a series of unique sayings Bob compiled in his “Notebook’ spanning 27 years. Statements he coined such as “Free Speech…at your own risk” or “The seeker of truth .. provided it suits him,” and “the smart businessman puts your money where his mouth is.” Today, just shy of 90, Bob offers thoughts like “AI will create artificial people” and “Social and political pressure for all to conform rather than reform.”
Bob worked 4 or 5 years at Wildcat and as a substitute teacher in Berlin after WMOU closed its doors in the early 2000’s. Later he would work at Santa’s Village at the information booth for yet another 10 years. As a tribute to Bob for his years of service to the area, Santa’s Village celebrated Bob’s retirement in a special ceremony.
The Making of a Legend: How it all Began
Robert Barbin was born and raised in Berlin, NH and still lives in the very same home where he was raised by his widowed Mother. He attended Catholic school, served as an altar boy at St Anne’s Church where he learned to recite the Lord’s Prayer in Latin (he still can today!).
Bob attended UNH for 3 years, majoring in Mathematics and there discovered a love of languages while taking a required course in German. He showed such promise that the military sent him to school where he became fluent in German language study, later serving 3 of 5 years in Germany as a Foreign Language Specialist.
Once out of the Air Force, Bob found a job through NH Employment Securities where an opening for a news director at WMOU radio station in Berlin needed to be filled. This marked the beginning of a legendary career in broadcasting for Bob and for all who heard his radio shows. The station is still remembered as Bob’s domain. He expanded the role he filled by becoming proficient in all things radio, writing commercials, handling accounting, obtaining sales and sponsorships and producing programs.
No one will ever be able to duplicate his genius for the job and his passion in doing it for nearly half a century.
Please join us all at AV Home Care Services in wishing our client and Berlin radio personality for many years, Bob Barbin, a Very Happy 90th Birthday on October 5th!!!! CONGRATULATIONS and MANY MORE Bob!