Indiana Broadcast History Archive

Bob Smith, born on July 29, 1936, grew up in Indianapolis. He had many media influences in his life, one of them being his older brother, Dave Smith. Bob’s fascination with the field grew over time, and he pursued both his education and career in media. He eventually built a diverse and successful career, beginning as a film developer and rising to the roles of director and producer.  

Samantha Smith interviewed Bob Smith for the IBHA Oral History Collection in 2024.

Growing up in a two-bedroom house on the east side of Indianapolis, Smith lived with his parents, sister, brother, grandmother, and uncle. He recalls sharing the attic with his grandmother and sister. He attended School 54 and later followed in his brother's footsteps by exploring media classes in high school. Inspired by his brother, Dave Smith's career, Smith realized he was deeply interested in media and decided to continue his education in the field by going to college. 

Here is Dave Smith as host of WTTV's "When Movies Were Movies" in 1987.

Early Career

Smith attended Indiana Central, now University of Indianapolis and studied a career in media. During his time there his brother got him a job part time at WISH TV to help pay for college, which led Bob to his first full-time job at WISH TV. He started out as a film developer, being in charge of developing the film they would use for the broadcasts. He then moved up to a news photographer, a job he loved. During his time as a news photographer, he got to go to events like the Indy 500 and photograph the drivers and races. He still has all of his press badges from the races. 

Later Career

Smith eventually became a producer and director at WISH-TV. Reflecting on his experience, he said, 

“When I got into that environment, the people and the things we did, I thought, ‘This is what I want to do.’” 

He later joined the world of entertainment television, working on Debbie Drake Dancercise and Wally's Workshop, which starred Wally Bruner. He served as both producer and director on those shows, often collaborating with his brother Dave. 

"Happy Little Trees"

In the 1980s, Smith joined a public television program produced by WIPB-TV at Ball State University in Muncie, IN, that would become one of the most popular programs in public broadcasting. Smith worked as Executive Producer for The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross. Even though the program stopped production in 1994, it is still fondly remembered around the country to this day, including Ross' catchphrase "happy little trees."

Smith remembered Bob Ross as humble and easy to work with. Smith even received an original Ross painting, which still hangs in his office. 

Retirement

After a long career in broadcast, Smith transitioned to a role as program manager at Ball State University. However, he found the management position less satisfying than the creative work he had loved in television production. He preferred working with his hands and ideas over administrative duties. 

Now in retirement, Smith enjoys spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He’s taken up rock painting and collecting as hobbies and even authored a book titled Indiana and the Sultana Disaster: The Story of a Survivor, which tells the story of his grandfather, John H. King. 

Smith has often said that if he could go back, he wouldn’t change a thing. His career in media allowed him to express his creativity and work closely with people he admired. His passion for storytelling and production is still evident when he shares stories from his past. 

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Written by Samantha Smith, edited by Katherine Maners

April 2026

Bibliography 

and, Lamps. “Wally’s Workshop - Lamps and Electrical Outlets.” YouTube, 7 Aug. 2015, youtu.be/qAPDSdmvkCU?si=ZrdKLeuOLi4tITr6. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024. 

“Dave Smith’s Hall of Fame Video Bio - Media Collections Online.” Indiana.edu, 2022, media.dlib.indiana.edu/media_objects/f76240065/section/w0892x95f. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024. 

Drake, Debbie. “[Debbie Drake Show Exercise, 1961].” YouTube, 9 May 2024, youtu.be/YzBoCehWBl4?si=pPN9upOtOAHUzAHB. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024. 

“History of WISH-TV.” Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic | WISH-TV |, Mar. 2023, www.wishtv.com/history-of-wish-tv/. 

Ross, Bob. “Bob Ross - Bubbling Mountain Brook (Season 8 Episode 6).” YouTube, 10 Mar. 

2016, youtu.be/U2_SKgM3f4A?si=_eDN9sxIYH2ghjkO. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024. 

Smith, Dave. “October 23, 1987 - Host Dave Smith Tapes Final “When Movies Were Movies” Segments.” YouTube, 26 Mar. 2022, youtu.be/_10VPa3PW9s?si=_89GdxZVobRxHZyv. 

Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.