Bob Clayton, RIP

[Donna Halper <dlh@donnahalper.com>]

 From the Cape Cod Times:

Robert H. Clayton, 87
Attorney; worked in radio, TV; host of 'Boston Ballroom'

WEST HYANNISPORT - Robert H. "Bob" Clayton, 87, of West Hyannisport, died 
Monday at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington of complications following surgery.

He was the husband of Selma E. (Liptzer) Clayton, who died in 2000. They 
were married for 63 years.
Mr. Clayton was a practicing attorney and member of the bar, at the time of 
his death.

Before retiring to Cape Cod in 1973, he was a well-known radio and TV 
personality. His radio program, "Boston Ballroom," broadcast on WHDH, was 
long the most popular show on Boston radio. During its successful 30-year 
run, hundreds of students appeared with him to introduce their high 
schools' favorite songs and recording artists.

In 1955, a delegation of state senators and representatives, led by House 
Speaker John Powell, presented the results of their record poll on the air. 
An equally successful version of the show was telecast on Channel 5 from 
1957 to 1963. The most famous recording artists of the day appeared on both 
programs. Many acknowledged that the records Mr. Clayton played on "Boston 
Ballroom" had launched their careers.

He was also the host of a call-in request program, "Juke Box Saturday 
Night," which became popular during the Korean War when servicemen wrote in 
dedications to their loved ones, which were read on the air.

Before beginning his career in radio and TV, Mr. Clayton, a 1936 graduate 
of Northeastern University, had been an attorney in Boston. He returned to 
the practice of law after retiring to his former summer home in West 
Hyannisport in 1973. He took great satisfaction from this second successful 
career, which, like the first, lasted almost 30 years.

Until December 2001, he continued to be an active member of the bar.

Surviving are a son Arnold Clayton; a brother Saul Clayton; two grandsons; 
and several nieces and nephews.

There will be no funeral.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod, 
923 Route 6A, Yarmouthport, MA 02675; or to the Cape Cod Hospital 
Foundation, 4 Bayview St., Hyannis, MA 02601.