For anyone who grew up watching television news in Houston, the names Jan Glenn and Bob Allen evoke a special kind of warmth. These were people who brought the daily happenings into our living rooms, becoming, in a way, part of our own families. Their presence on the airwaves created a connection that went beyond just reporting the news or sports. It was a time when local personalities truly made a mark, and their faces became familiar, trusted parts of the community.

It's interesting, too, how certain figures really stick with you, even years later. Jan and Bob, you know, they really were more than just anchors or sports reporters; they were community fixtures. Their stories are woven into the very fabric of Houston's media past, and people still talk about them with fondness, which is pretty neat.

So, we're going to take a moment to look back at the lives and careers of Jan Glenn and Bob Allen, celebrating their contributions to Houston's vibrant media landscape. We'll explore their paths, their time on screen, and the impact they had on countless viewers who tuned in night after night, almost like visiting old friends.

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Table of Contents

• Bob Allen: A Sports Broadcasting Legend
  • Bob Allen: Personal Details and Career Highlights
• Jan Glenn: A Familiar Face in Houston News
  • Jan Glenn: Personal Details and Career Highlights
• A Dynamic Duo on Houston's Airwaves
• The Community's Memory and Lasting Impact
• Frequently Asked Questions

Bob Allen: A Sports Broadcasting Legend

Bob Allen was, you could say, a true cornerstone of Houston sports reporting for decades. His voice and face were instantly recognizable to anyone who followed local sports, and he brought a distinct approach to the stories he shared. He really became a part of the city's identity, especially through his long tenure at KTRK, which was Channel 13 at the time, and also at KHOU.

His career, it's almost hard to believe, spanned an impressive 38 years with Eyewitness News, which is a very long time to be with one station, isn't it? He started out, you know, taking over for Dan Lovett around 1974, and he just kept going, building a remarkable career. His work as a sports director for ABC13 continued right up until January 2013, when he prepared for his very last show, which was a big moment for many viewers.

Tragically, Bob Allen passed away at the age of 70 after a fight with cancer, which was a very tough loss for the Houston television news community. Many people felt like they had lost a member of their own family, a sentiment that truly speaks to the connection he built with his audience. His passing left a real void, and people still remember him with a great deal of affection and respect, you know, for all the years he dedicated to sharing sports stories with everyone.

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Bob Allen: Personal Details and Career Highlights

Jan Glenn: A Familiar Face in Houston News

Jan Glenn was, in her own right, a truly memorable presence in Houston's media world. Before her television career, she was a cheerleader at Texas Tech University, where she also completed her studies. This background, you know, gives a little insight into her energetic and approachable personality that later shone through on screen. She was, you know, a very recognizable face, a very familiar one, to many Houstonians.

She came onto the scene at KTRK, Channel 13, around 1976 and worked there until about 1979, often alongside Bob Allen. People remember her from "Good Morning Houston," and she was also part of bigger events, like the "Night of a Thousand Lights" in downtown Houston back in April of 1990. That event, which aimed to highlight the fight against drugs, featured stars from ABC television, which suggests, you know, her prominence at the time.

Jan was also part of a group of well-known Houston media personalities who would sometimes reunite, catching up with people like Jan Carson, Shara Fryer, Debbie Johnson, and Don Kobos. This really shows how connected she was within the local broadcasting community, which is pretty neat. Her presence on screen, you know, was something many people looked forward to, and she helped shape the daily news experience for a whole generation of viewers.

Jan Glenn: Personal Details and Career Highlights

A Dynamic Duo on Houston's Airwaves

The names Jan Glenn and Bob Allen are often spoken together, and for good reason, you know. They shared the screen for a period, with Jan joining Bob around 1976. People who watched back then sometimes recall wondering if they were dual anchors for both the 6 and 10 o'clock newscasts, or just one, often remembering them together for the 6 and 10 o'clock news, which is interesting.

There was a time when, you know, one viewer remembered sitting next to Bob Allen, and then he left for a bit, and someone else took his spot, only for him to return later. This kind of back-and-forth, you know, shows the dynamic nature of news teams. While their professional paths crossed significantly, it's also noted that they were, at one point, married and later divorced, which is a personal detail that sometimes comes up when people reflect on their time together on screen.

Their combined presence on Channel 13, especially during the late 1970s and early 1980s, really helped define a certain era of Houston television. You know, their faces were familiar, and they were part of the nightly routine for many families. One person even shared a very cool memory of their parents meeting Bob and Jan Glenn at Gilley's "back in the day," which really paints a picture of how accessible and integrated these personalities were within the community, which is pretty special.

After their time together, their careers continued to evolve. Jan Glenn, for example, was later seen with Don Nelson, another longtime fixture on Channel 13, in the 1980s. Don Nelson, you know, eventually worked his final shift on a Friday, and he spoke about his experiences before signing off. These connections show how interconnected the Houston television community was, and how these personalities, like Jan and Bob, crossed paths with many others who also became household names, you know, over the years.

The Community's Memory and Lasting Impact

The impact of figures like Jan Glenn and Bob Allen on the Houston community is, you know, truly significant. They weren't just reporters or anchors; they were, in a way, companions during daily news consumption. Bob Allen, particularly, was seen by many as someone who "never aged" from their childhood in the mid-80s to later years, which speaks to his consistent presence and the strong impression he made. This kind of connection, you know, is something very few public figures achieve.

When Bob Allen passed away, the Houston television news community felt a very tough loss. It was a moment of collective sadness, as many remembered him not just as a sports director, but as "part of our family at Eyewitness News." This feeling, you know, of shared grief and remembrance really highlights the deep bond he had forged with his audience over nearly four decades of work, which is pretty amazing.

The stories and memories shared by viewers, like the one about meeting Bob and Jan Glenn at Gilley's, are very cool to read. They show how these personalities extended beyond the screen, becoming part of people's personal histories and recollections. It's clear that Jan and Bob, through their dedication and presence, contributed immensely to the fabric of Houston's media, leaving behind a legacy of warmth and familiarity that, you know, continues to resonate today. Their contributions, you know, helped shape how a city connected with its news and sports, which is a truly lasting achievement.

You can learn more about Houston's broadcast history on our site, and you might also enjoy reading about other notable Houston media personalities.

For more details on the careers of prominent broadcasters, you might find information on a reputable news archive, for instance, by searching for Houston broadcast history archives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Bob Allen's career like in Houston?

Bob Allen spent a remarkable 38 years as a sports director and anchor, primarily with ABC13 Eyewitness News, which is KTRK Channel 13. He began his time there around 1974, taking over from Dan Lovett, and continued to be a very familiar face in Houston sports reporting until his retirement in January 2013. He was, you know, a very consistent presence for generations of viewers.

What was Jan Glenn known for in Houston television?

Jan Glenn was a cherished figure in Houston's media, known for her work at KTRK Channel 13, where she anchored from about 1976 to 1979. She was also part of "Good Morning Houston" and participated in community events like the "Night of a Thousand Lights." Before her television career, she was, you know, a cheerleader at Texas Tech University, where she also graduated.

Were Jan Glenn and Bob Allen married, and what was their relationship in media?

Yes, Jan Glenn and Bob Allen were, at one point, married, though they later divorced. Professionally, they shared the anchor desk at KTRK Channel 13 for a period, with Jan joining Bob around 1976. Their time together on screen contributed to their status as, you know, a very recognizable duo in Houston's local news landscape.