2024 Bob Feist
Bob Feist of Lodi, Calif., is not only well known as a rodeo announcer and commentator, but also as a publisher and roping producer.
Feist was raised in Santa Rosa and Ukiah, CA, where the family had a cattle ranching operation. His love for rodeo started in the rough stock events. After high school, he attended Oklahoma State University as a hotel and restaurant major. After college, he managed a restaurant in Oklahoma City. He served in the United States Army, where he attended Officer’s Training School and received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. After his term in the Army, he returned to Santa Rosa, where he took over the management of a family restaurant while still staying acting in the Army Reserves. If meals could have been served outdoors, he might have stayed in the restaurant business. Feist soon found the confinement was too much and returned to his favorite interest—RODEO.
In 1968, Bob decided that team ropers needed some kind of publication to keep them informed of upcoming events as well as results. Because of this need, Bob published the first issue of Ropers Sports News, a monthly publication that is still the “bible” of team ropers all over the United States as well as many foreign countries.
Feist was inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2024, Reno Rodeo as well as Bishop Mule Days inducted him into their Hall of Fame. He has been greeting people, winning public speaking awards and acting as master of ceremonies from the time he was old enough to open the front door. His relaxed, resonant voice over the mike made him a natural in his next venture, announcing rodeos.
Feist announces several PRCA rodeos, Professional Bull Ridings and special events each year from Alabama to Hawaii and from Washington to Arizona. Besides having announced the National Finals Rodeo, he has also announced the National Finals Steer Roping Finals, Calgary Stampede, Cheyenne, Salinas, and the United States Team Roping Championships. Other major events he has announced include: Reno Rodeo, Bishop Mule Days, Snaffle Bit Futurity, the World Championships for the Professional Bull Riders, and the Timed Event Championship at the Lazy E in Guthrie, OK. Many times the announcer of the Sierra Circuit Finals, he was also named their “Announcer of the Year.” He has also done a lot of television and radio commentary, with several years on the Hesston Telecast of the NFR. Feist also co-hosted the Winston Pro-Tour along with Red Steagall. He was seen on ESPN as the co-host of the Pro-Tour. In the past, Feist was heard as co-host of the Great American Cowboy, Rodeo Sports Page and other television and radio shows. His credits also include announcing the “Wildest West Show of the Stars” on CBS and appearing in the Clint Eastwood movie, “Pink Cadillac.” Most recently he has appeared on RFD-TV and has been a guest of RFD Rural Radio, and ProRodeo Live.
An excellent snow and water skier, Feist is a natural as announcer of the prestigious “Cowboy Downhill Race” held each January in Steamboat Springs, CO. Co-announcing with Billy Kidd, Larry Mahan and John Shipley, his knowledge of the sport, plus his announcing capabilities have made him an asset to this event.
Along with attending rodeos as a competitor or an announcer, Feist spent over 45 years as a private pilot. During that time period, he flew many world champion PRCA cowboys and WPRA cowgirls to rodeos in the U.S. and Canada
Because Feist felt that the “Open Team Ropers” (ropers who make their living roping and rodeoing), needed a specialized roping that would provide them with a lucrative payoff and awards, he started producing the world renowned “BFI”. Feist’s goals in the creation of the BFI included that a good team roping production with great ropers would attract paid spectators as well as huge a fan base. Along with the paid open roping concept, he also hoped that the success of the BFI would would help in requiring team roping become a standard event at pro rodeos. Anyone who follows team roping knows that “BFI” stands for Bob Feist Invitational Team Roping Classic. Created in 1977, the “World’s Richest One Day Open Team Roping” now pays out over $700,000 in cash and awards to the ropers who enter the event. Feist sold the BFI in 2011.
Twice a year, Feist also takes time out to attend two of his favorite trail rides, the Rancheros Visitadores and Sonoma County Trail Blazers. People from all over the United States and Canada congregate to enjoy a week of horse activities. At these events, you will see Bob riding or behind the lines, driving an eight-up mule or horse hitch.
As an avid fisherman, you can find Feist at the many rivers, lakes and streams around the United States and Canada when his busy schedule permits him. He also enjoys kayaking and golfing.
If it happens “outdoors,” you can be sure that Feist, an avid sportsman, will want to be there!