Around 1982, McCall came out with his cookbook, “Dr. Bob’s Down Home Cooking.” In his cookbook’s dedication, he had special thanks for, among others, the St. Paul Social Association, Daisy Reed, and long-time public relations guru and journalist Regis Bobonis Sr.
Bobonis was well-known in many circles but particularly strong in local media. He must have had a serious hand in helping him get the book published.
McCall’s book promoted, among other things, the popular fried lobster tail and what many Pittsburghers might remember as “The Chitterling Pizza.”
Dr. Bob always was a “community” person. He loved the community and the community loved him.
Bob always displayed his good manners. He was cordial, loving, and enthusiastic. He was a household name, which led him to explain humorously to those around him that he was “ghetto famous.” In short, he was only famous among Pittsburgh’s African American community. But Bob, indeed, was an icon in Pittsburgh.
McCall’s funeral was held Aug. 12 at House of Law in Penn Hills. He is survived by: daughter Andrida Hosey (Boyzell), son Robert McCall Jr. (Benita); granddaughters Chandell Lee, Kiashi Telfort (Benjamin) and Shanena McCall; grandson Jacquay Hosey; great grandkids Jauntae, Jaceir and Jalayah Hosey, DaShawn Carter, Nevaeha and Aniya Harles; siblings Juanita Pitts, Ella Jenkins, Diane Spears and John McCall Jr.
(Phil Taylor is a print journalist and former New Pittsburgh Courier editor who lives in Western Pennsylvania. Read Taylor’s commentary on his personal interactions with McCall below….
“I first encountered Dr. Bob and his crew at my brother, Tim’s and his wife, Vivian’s wedding in 1974. The wedding was held at St. Benedict the Moor in Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood. I had no idea that my father, Augustus Sr. or “Gus,” as he was better known, had a shared Downtown history with Bob McCall. My dad worked in food service most of his life and later when he retired from the railroad, he subbed as a waiter at most of the city’s major hotels. That is where their paths crossed…”
“By the time of my upcoming nuptials in 1982, my dad took me down to Bob’s bright restaurant located on Centre Avenue right above South Craig Street. We were lucky to have Bob cater our wedding as well. We were honored to have his wife, “Gerri,” at the event…”
“It was about that time, that McCall came out with his cookbook “Dr. Bob’s Down Home Cooking…”
“In his cookbook’s dedication, he had special thanks for the St. Paul Social Association, Daisy Reed, among others and long-time public relations guru and journalist Regis Bobonis Sr. Bobonis, was well known in many circles but particularly strong in local media. He must have had a serious hand in helping him get the book published. Decades later Bobonis would spearhead the establishment of the monument to the Tuskegee Airmen in Sewickley…”
“Back in ’82, I was a staff writer for the New Pittsburgh Courier. I wanted to help Bob in promoting his book. Little did I know that our friendship would last decades after that and I would be become endeared to the man. His book promoted among other things the popular fried lobster tail and what many Pittsburghers might remember as The Chiterling Pizza!”
“I was thrilled when Bob told me that after we sent out new releases about his cookbook, he received several media responses including one from the national Essence Magazine. Way to go, Bob!”
“Bob always was a ‘community’ person. He loved the community and the community loved him…”
“Many years later, I would run into him often in the Eastern suburbs giving fellow seniors a ride to their destinations. He would always introduce me politely to whomever was in the vehicle with him. Bob always displayed his good manners. He would then go on to tell me of some opportunities that could turn into a potential money maker. Some depended on getting buildings with the use of full commercial kitchens. It was clear he had no plans of slowing down even in his 70s…”
“Oftentimes I would encounter him at various lottery retailers. Some people may not understand it, but lottery players have their own subculture. When we met at such places, he always had a sense of humor and if a “cool” automobile would pass our way, Bob always took notice…”
“Once I ran into him at one of our favorite lottery haunts, a beer distributor on Frankstown Road in Penn Hills. The distributor shares a location with a family of sisters that run a take-out restaurant which prepares soul food that even Bob might approve. Ironically, the local soul food king may have given way now to the royal sisters of it. To the amusement of those inside waiting to play their numbers a woman in line recognized him and said, ‘Hey, you’re Bob McCall…’
“Bob went on to explain humorously that he was ‘ghetto famous.’ In short, he was only famous among Pittsburgh’s African American community. We all laughed, but Bob and I knew his fame had long surpassed his joke. A few months ago, he left me a voice-mail at work. He ended his call nonchalantly with: ‘Bob McCall … that’s all… Bob McCall.’ It almost sounded lyrical. Often, I find myself repeating his words with a smile…”
“I would like to believe that both Bob and Gus are both enjoying what I learned was one of their favorite pastimes — a lively game of checkers. Take care guys.”
(The words of Phil Taylor)
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