‘Simply Bob Ray’ retires from S-T

I was saddened to hear of the retirement of Bob Ray Sanders.

I have read and re-read most of his columns over many years and mostly disagreed. But that is not the important issue.

Bob Ray is one of the most decent, likable and respectful persons I have known. Most of us know him not by his full name, but simply Bob Ray.

He is a good and decent human being, and that is about all we should ask of anyone. Safe and healthy retirement, Bob Ray.

— Allan Saxe, Arlington

Bob Ray Sanders wrote his own story, an exemplary, encouraging story.

With surely some trepidation but with obvious courage, he asked for and secured a job which at the time was not easily or readily available to him.

He excelled, advanced, set the pace, set the standard. Cheerfully did it with an ever-present smile.

His story was the larger story, the one that needed to be told, deserved to be told. He told it with exceptional commitment, insight, perception, integrity.

He steadfastly stood for many — and in that way stood for all.

He stood for this newspaper — and indeed in large measure was much the face of it — and stood for its readers and this community. He served each of these well, infinitely well.

Thank you, Bob Ray. Thank you for coming our way, for writing, for telling your compelling story here.

— Roger Summers, Arlington

Sunday’s opinion page headline, “Bulletin: This is the news that many readers have waited for,” was only half accurate. The ensuing article was a farewell message from Bob Ray Sanders but did not include a like message from Bud Kennedy.

— Dorothy McWhorter, Bedford

I agreed with Bob Ray Sanders most of the time on important issues. He is the most caring person and strives to be fair and treat people with respect. He has done so much good for Texas.

— Dorothy H. Day, Benbrook

Conflicting opinions in a free press are crucial to a free society, and Bob Ray Sanders did a more than adequate job of opening debate.

— Mark Metroka, Fort Worth

I will miss Bob Ray Sanders’ column. I didn’t always agree with him, but even in those cases I usually learned something or thought about issues I usually didn’t care about.

— Scott K. Witsaman, Saginaw

Bob Ray Sanders was one of the best writers for your paper and I am sad that he has retired. He was always forthright with what he was talking about, and he was not afraid to tell us his honest opinion about anything. I find that refreshing

— Joanne Willis, Fort Worth

I read Bob Ray Sanders’ retirement column on Sunday with great anticipation.

Hopefully he will find the owners of the lost class rings and employment elsewhere in the private sector.

— Ralph M. Gill, Fort Worth

This story was originally published June 2, 2015 at 5:45 PM with the headline "‘Simply Bob Ray’ retires from S-T."