For National Baseball Congress fans who spent their sultry Augusts at Lawrence Athletic Field during the years that NBC founder Raymond “Hap” Dumont roamed the aisleways; the voice of Bob Gadberry was as smooth as it was common at the ballpark. Gadberry, a long-time friend of Dumont’s, was the master of ceremonies for a number of NBC events such as opening nights and special trophy presentations from the 1950s through the early 1970s.

Gadberry, a native of Carthage, Missouri, was a natural public speaker from his childhood.  He participated in numerous plays throughout high school often as the lead, and won a contest for best orator his senior year.  At Pittsburg Teachers College (now Pittsburg State University), he was president of his class his sophomore year while also getting his first taste of being on the radio doing a daily afternoon newscast on KOAM in 1938.

Radio would become his home into the early 1950s, as he moved to Wichita after graduation and worked at both KFI and KFBI.  He served in the Army Air Corps in World War II, stationed mostly in Panama, and his voice was heard on Armed Forces Radio during that time, while achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.  After the war while working at KFBI, he would do play-by-play for the station of both the NBC Kansas State Tournament as well as the NBC World Series, and it was there that he met and became friends with Dumont.  It wasn’t long before Gadberry became a visible and often heard figure behind the pneumatic microphone that popped out of the ground near home plate. Gadberry once recalled of Dumont, “Although he had confidence in his own ability, he believed that he shouldn’t be seen or heard.”

Through the years, it was Gadberry who introduced such dignitaries from the world of politics, entertainment and sport to the crowds in the stands.  Ceremonies involving one-time NBC National Commissioner George Sisler, Major League Commissioner Albert “Happy” Chandler, entertainer Joe E. Brown and even Rin-Tin-Tin all added to the prestige and awareness of the NBC National Tournament.

Gadberry described his role for Dumont, “Hap liked humor, but he didn’t want a funny man on the field. He liked the presence of politicians only to emphasize the significance of the tournament, but he feared political speeches. If a politician did turn political, I was under orders to ease him off the mike.”  Even against Hap’s wishes, he would occasionally inject humor himself.  Satchel Paige returned to the NBC in 1955 to be honored as the first Graduate of the Year, all decked out in cap and gown, and Gadberry presented him with the award saying, “You were 35 in the first national tournament in 1935 and 20 years later, you’re still 35.” The remark evoked a big laugh in the stands, and Satchel responded by patting Gadberry on the head.

“Hap always said that when Bob was on the field and behind the mike, he never would have any worries. Bob was perfect. He never had any slip-ups,” recalled Mrs. Ann Dumont, wife of the legendary promoter. “Bob was quite the gentleman. He was one of the best public speakers in these parts.”

Gadberry was just as fond of Hap, “He was an extremely loyal man, loyal to the city and to his friends.”  He would speak more eloquently about Dumont at his funeral in 1971 and how his passion for life and the NBC never waned, “Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.  Whether 60 or 16, there is in every human being’s heart the love of wonder, the sweet amazement at the stars, and the star-like things, the undaunted challenge of events, the unfailing child-like appetite for what’s next, and the joy of the game of living.”

After Dumont’s passing, Gadberry handed over the reins of NBC Master of Ceremonies to Gus Grebe and focused on his career as Vice President at Fourth National Bank in Wichita where he worked into the early 1980s.  He was well known and respected in the community and around the state, supporting organizations such as the March of Dimes and YMCA, and was encouraged to run for governor and senator multiple times, but never did.  His oratorical skills continued to be in high demand, often called upon to host numerous school sports banquets, civic, church and other local events.

Gadberry continued to stay active following his retirement from the bank, working for a number of state and national political campaigns.  He was also on the Board of Governors for the Red Cross, and CEO of the American Cancer Society for a few years.  The hard working public servant and gifted orator that the Wichita Eagle once referred to as “The Emcee man of the top drawer quality,” passed away on his 98th birthday in 2016.