Bob Twigg's Obituary
Bob Twigg, journalist, loving husband, Father, Stepfather and Granddad of Leesburg VA and Longboat Key FL died November 16, 2009 at age 62 after a valiant battle with Lung Cancer.
He was born December 8,1946, the third of nine children to Regina and William Twigg in Cumberland MD.
His journalist career began as a college student working for the Cumberland Times. His friend, Jan Alderton, now the Editor of that paper, says Bob was responsible for getting Jan his first job at the paper. After finishing his education at Frostburg State University he continued at the Cumberland Times than moved to the Hagerstown newspaper, where he became Sports Editior. He covered the Baltimore Orioles in their glory days as well as the Baltimore Colts. He shared the story of the Orioles winning the pennant and being in the locker room for the celebration wearing his favorite new sport jacket that was ruined from champagne spray. He moved to Pensacola Florida becoming editor of that paper, owned by Gannett.
In 1983 he was brought to Washington DC to become part of a new paper Gannett was starting called USA TODAY. During his 16 year career with USA TODAY he served in a number of roles including Washington/White House Editor, National Editor and Senior Reporter. He covered the Reagan, Bush and Clinton Administrations. Traveled to the Malta Summit with George HW Bush; worked extensively on the coverage of the first Gulf War, including the book Gannett published about the war and spent time with George & Barbara Bush at their home in Maine during a summer break from Washington. His favorite story was Mrs. Bush telling her husband not to take the reporters through the house and the President waiting til Barbara had gone around the corner and inviting them in for a personal tour. He was asked to take over the West Coast desk and thought that would be a nice change of pace, but it was the week before Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman were murdered in Los Angeles. For the duration of the OJ Simpson trial he split his time between VA and CA. Every day the Simpson story was on the cover of the paper rack sales skyrocketed. He told his wife, BJ, the day the jury was seated that OJ would be acquitted. Fourteen months later that was the verdict. Following OJ's acquittal Bob wanted to get back to reporting and for the next couple of years he covered every major news event in the Country. BJ would say if a plane came out of the sky, a hurricane was forming or a state was burning out of control Bob would be packing his bags. He retired from 1997 from USA TODAY to have more time with his family.
Retirement did not last long. He became publisher of Senior News in Loudoun County from 1998-2002 and became Editor of the Loudoun TImes Mirror in 2005. Peter Arundel, Publisher of the Loudoun Times Mirror said, " PETER BLAH BLAH BLAH -- Following his stepson Kevin's decision to run for elected office, Bob stepped down from the local paper to avoid a perception of conflict. He spent many of the cold weather months at their home in Longboat Key and completed his first novel just prior to his diagnosis with Lung Cancer in October 2008.
Bob was an active volunteer. He went to Pine Ridge the Lakota/Sioux Reservation in South Dakota on his first mission trip for St. James Church in 1997 and traveled several times to New Orleans to help with the rebuilding of the City following Hurricane Katrina. He served for several years as the Chairman of Loudoun's Christmas in April Project. He was a member of the Board of the Loudoun YMCA, The Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing Clinic, The Loudoun Chamber of Commerce and In-Stride Riding - a Therapeutic Riding program in Sarasota FL. He h as served as a Big Brother in the Best Buddies program.
He is survived by his wife, former Leesburg Mayor B.J. Webb; Children: Michael Twigg of Los Angeles; Russell Wright & his wife Carrie & daughter Helena; Kevin Wright & his wife Dena and daughter Katelyn of Leesburg VA. Five brothers and three sisters. One brother predeceased him.
The Family will be receiving guests at their home 17885 Leeland Orchard Road on Friday November 20th from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of his life will be held Saturday November 21st at 2 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, Leesburg.
What’s your fondest memory of Bob?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bob?
Share a story where Bob's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bob you’ll never forget.
How did Bob make you smile?