Ramblin' Rod Anders

Ramblin' Rod Anders (born Rodney Carl Andersen)Fact|date=May 2008 (November 26, 1933 – May 11, 2002) was the host of "The Ramblin' Rod Show", a morning cartoon show, from 1964 until his retirement on August 8 1997. The Portland, Oregon KPTV host was well known locally for his button covered sweater.

Biography

Rod grew up in Multnomah County, Oregon. He began his career in radio broadcasting in the 1950s, singing and playing music on Saturday mornings for Tillamook radio station KTIL. Rod stayed with KTIL until he was drafted into the armed forces, where he served as a radio repairman. When his tenure was up, he returned to radio filling voice positions at KFLW (Klamath Falls), KXL (Portland), and KPOJ (Portland).

While working for KPOJ, Rod heard of an opening for a children's show called "Popeye's Pier 12" on KPTV. He replaced Bob Adkins (better knows as "Addie Bobkins") in "Popeye's Pier 12," and in the late 1960s "Popeye's Pier 12" was renamed the "Ramblin' Rod Show."

Not until the 1970s did Rod begin to wear a cardigan covered in buttons, all of which where given to him by adoring fans. Over the years, Rod collected these buttons, and stored them in a hanger. At the time of his death, Rod had collected 25,000+ buttons from his little guests.

Each year, Rod helped with the Jerry Lewis Telethon, Muscular Dystrophy Association, to name a few. In his retirement, Rod enjoyed flying and spending time with his family.

how

The show highlighted Looney Tunes and Popeye cartoons and also hosted a "smile contest," featuring the grade school audience as contestants. Rod began each show by arriving on the set on a tug-boat prop. The series, originally entitled "Popeye's Pier 12", had several marine-themed characters but they were phased out over time.

The set of "The Ramblin' Rod Show" remained simple throughout its tenure. Rod introduced each guest, spoke with them, celebrated birthdays, played old cartoons, and had smile contests. In the early years, Rod played guitar and had a skunk puppet named Petunia, which he phased out in later years.

Smile contest winners and children celebrating their birthdays were entitled to free Pop Shoppe soda.

ee also

*List of local children's television series (United States)

External links

* [http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=2789 Willamette Week Obituary]
* [http://home.comcast.net/~kptv/Shows/ramblin.htm Ramblin' Rod history]
* [http://home.comcast.net/~kptv/Shows/ramblin.htm Yesterdays KPTV Ramblin Rod/Popeyes Pier 12 page]