Jim Kobbe Obituary: Wichita Sports Broadcasting Legend Dies After Cancer Battle

Jim Kobbe, the longtime Wichita sports broadcaster and former KSN sports director, has died at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer.

Kobbe died Tuesday, September 8, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in Kansas sports broadcasting, journalism and baseball.

For decades, he was a familiar voice and face to Wichita sports fans, but colleagues and friends say his greatest impact came through the people he encouraged, mentored and supported throughout his career.

Jim Kobbe Dies After Cancer Battle

Kobbe’s family confirmed his death following his battle with cancer.

News of his death prompted an outpouring of memories from former colleagues, friends and members of the Wichita sports community, many of whom remembered him as a genuine, humble and generous person.

His longtime friend Leon Liebl described Kobbe as a gentleman and a friend to everyone he encountered.

For those who worked alongside him, Kobbe’s personality off camera was remarkably similar to the one viewers saw on television.

A Major Figure in Wichita Sports

Kobbe became one of Wichita’s most recognizable sports broadcasters during a career that included more than two decades in local sports media.

Before joining KSN, he worked as a sports anchor and reporter at KWCH-TV and also spent time working in radio.

At KWCH, Kobbe became a familiar presence for Wichita viewers and helped establish himself as one of the area’s most respected sports journalists.

His ability to tell stories, connect with athletes and coaches and bring personality to his reporting made him a distinctive figure in Kansas sports television.

Kobbe Helped Rebuild KSN’s Sports Department

In 2005, KSN brought Kobbe back into television to re-establish its sports department.

As sports director, he led coverage of high school, college and professional sports across Kansas.

He remained at KSN until 2011, when he left television and joined Spirit AeroSystems.

Even after leaving broadcasting, Kobbe remained deeply connected to the sports community.

He retired from Spirit AeroSystems in 2024.

A Mentor to Young Broadcasters

One of the most frequently remembered parts of Kobbe’s career was his willingness to help young people interested in sports journalism and broadcasting.

Friends and former colleagues said he regularly invited aspiring broadcasters to the television station, answered their questions and allowed them to see what happened behind the scenes.

Some of those young people eventually went on to careers in broadcasting themselves.

That mentoring spirit became an important part of Kobbe’s legacy.

He was remembered as someone who was more interested in helping other people succeed than receiving recognition for himself.

His Love of Baseball Continued After Broadcasting

Kobbe remained active in Kansas sports after leaving television.

He served as an adviser to the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame and was involved with the National Baseball Congress Legacy Committee.

Baseball was more than a professional interest for Kobbe. Friends recalled his deep knowledge of the game and his enthusiasm for preserving Kansas baseball history.

He was also known for keeping score by hand while attending baseball games and for organizing baseball trips with friends.

His love of the sport remained a constant part of his life even after his broadcasting career ended.

Remembering Jim Kobbe

Friends and former colleagues have described Kobbe as kind, humble, funny, generous and authentic.

His impact was measured not only by the sports stories he told but by the relationships he built over the years.

He covered generations of athletes and teams, helped young broadcasters develop their careers and remained involved in preserving Kansas sports history.

For Wichita sports fans who watched him on television and listened to him on radio, his death marks the loss of a familiar and trusted voice.

For those who knew him personally, the loss is much deeper.

Jim Kobbe leaves behind a legacy of storytelling, mentorship, friendship and an enduring love of Kansas sports.

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Disclaimer

This obituary is based on current public reporting and information released following Jim Kobbe’s death. Some published reports have differed on his exact age, while KSN’s initial report identified him as 65. Funeral, visitation and memorial arrangements should be confirmed through Kobbe’s family or an authorized representative before specific details are published.