Coe, Robert L., 1902-1975

Vice President of Station Relations, American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

From the description of Robert L. Coe papers, 1902-1975 (bulk 1925-1968 and undated) (University of Maryland Libraries). WorldCat record id: 38266326

Robert L. Coe had a distinguished career in broadcasting, at the forefront of developments both in radio, and later, television. Born in 1902, he went on to operate an amateur radio station in Clayton, Mo.—starting at age 15—for three years from 1917 to 1920. In 1921 he cofounded the first radio station in St. Louis, KSD, which began broadcasting that same year. When the St. Louis Post-Dispatch —which acquired KSD—needed an assistant manager and chief engineer, Coe's knowledge and experience of what was then a very new technology qualified him for the position; Coe was just 22 years old when the Post-Dispatch promoted him in 1924.

His knowledge and experience of what was then still new technology qualified Coe for positions of increasing importance; first and assistant manager, by 1928 he had become an executive of radio engineering. Coe remained at the Post-Dispatch through the "Roaring" Twenties and the Depression, though he branched out from 1926-1928 working at station KMOX. In 1938, in cooperation with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Coe was the first to attempt radio fascimile transmission of a newspaper.

Coe's experiences during World War II are not less impressive. A lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Air Corps, Coe was sent to Asia, where he built a communications network for the China-Burma-India theatre of the war. For his contribution to the war effort, Coe received medals for his services in the American and Asiatic-Pacific theatres.

Following his discharge in March 1945, Coe returned to KSD in St. Louis. Shortly thereafter, Coe led efforts to promote television, then just emerging as a viable entertainment medium. Convinced of television's potential, Coe founded KSD-TV, a television broadcasting division of KSD in 1947. During this time Coe contributed material to several articles and wrote others; works authored by Coe, and others to which he contributed for a part of the Library's collection.

In 1948, Coe went to WPIX-TV in New York, where he was vice president and manager. Subsequently, in 1952, Coe went on to work for the Dumont television network, followed by two positions with ABC-TV#151;first as a regional manager of station relations, and later as a vice president of station relations.

Coe's reputation for problem-solving and his ability to work with others earned the respect and devotion of his colleagues. This esteem is reflected in the awards and special honors presented to him; such as the award from his colleagues at ABC-TV.

In 1967 Ohio University offered Coe a teaching position as a professor of communications. Despite his long experience in the field, Coe prepared extensive notes for his lectures, providing an in-depth look at the field. Along with his teaching responsibilities, Coe was working on the manuscript for a book, A Saga of American Broadcasting, a history of the broadcasting industry in america#151;drawn from his own experience. Coe taught at the university until 1973, devoting as much time as possible before and after retirement to his manuscript.

However, after 1973, commitments and health problems prevented Coe's ability to complete the book. At his death in 1975, it remained unfinished.

From the guide to the Robert L. Coe Papers, 1902-1975 and undated, 1925-1968 and undated, (Mass Media and Culture)