UPDATERetired sports broadcaster Bob Swisher, formerly of Marion, died in Paducah today at Western Baptist Hospital. He was 82.
Swisher grew up in Marion and played football and baseball for the high school team. He was inducted into the Crittenden County Sports Hall of Fame 10 years ago and had served on the selection committee until his death. Swisher went to Marion High School in the 1940s and played on some of the best football teams in local history.
Swisher left Marion as a young man and made his name in broadcasting. He did play-by-play for the old Paducah Chiefs and later was sports director for WPSD-TV in Paducah. He had broadcast Paducah Tilghman football and basketball games in recent years.
Swisher had battled cancer for many years. It was largely due to his efforts that Sports Against Cancer events started in western Kentucky about 30 years ago.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 13 at 2 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Paducah.
