Voice Over Professional Bob Voigt
The naval chef with a basso profundo.
Bob’s bio
From Navy Chef to Voice Actor
Bob Voigt is both the consummate chef and easily recognizable voice actor. As a culinary expert aboard the USS St. Paul, Bob was responsible for feeding 1200 Hungry Men. The stories about the challenges he faced in accommodating so many ravenous sailors three times a day are funny, dramatic and told with empathy. His exceptional skills in the galley did
not go unnoticed by US Navy higher ups who offered him a position as one of five Chefs working at the White House. So, Bob decided he should document his experiences and write his own cookbook.
After three tours of active duty, Bob entered the Naval Reserve as a cook then added Federal Fire Fighter to his list of duties and adding the rank of captain to his credentials He also determined it was time to put his rich basso profundo to work as a voice actor. Highly identifiable, those within earshot frequently ask the questions, “Weren’t you the voice of…?” and “Didn’t I hear you on…? Without question, Bob is unforgettable on many levels…
The USS ST. Paul
The USS St. Paul faithfully served her country in three major wars: WW II, Korea and Viet Nam. Launched on September 16, 1944, she entered service in WW II in the Pacific Theater on May, 19, 1945 under the command of Captain Ernest H. von Heimburg. She proceeded to launch
points off the coast of Japan striking Honshu, Japan’s largest island, and screened the aircraft carriers as they delivered heavy air strikes on Kure, Kobe and Tokyo. She also bombarded textile mills and iron and steel works. She bears the distinction of firing the last aggressive salvo of WW II and was present in Tokyo Bay for the formal surrender of Japan on August 28, 1945. She was stationed off the Japanese coast for occupation duty until November 10, 1945 when she was ordered to Shanghai to become the flagship of Task Force 73.
Returning to the US, the St. Paul was refit from a catapult to a helicopter configuration and returned to active duty in 1950 to serve in the Korean War. From January 21-31, she conducted shore bombardments and assisted in carrying out raids on rail lines and tunnels successfully inhibiting the enemy’s attempts to resupply.
Returning home, in 1964 she “starred” in the feature film, In Harm’s Way, starring John Wayne. In her role as “Old Swayback,” she portrayed the flagship of a fictitious command subsequently sunk during the Second World War.
Leaving Hollywood behind, the St. Paul returned to her military duties. Beginning in 1966, she was deployed five times with the 7th fleet providing gunfire support off North and South Viet Nam. She was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and two Meritorious Unit Commendations for her service in that war.
Inactivation procedures began in San Diego on December 7, 1970. She was decommissioned on April 30, 1971 after 26 years of active duty and dedication to her country. Sadly, the valiant vessel met an ignominious end, being sold for scrap to Gillette, her metal used to make razor blades.
However, her ship’s bell hangs in City Hall in St. Paul, Missouri, a stalwart reminder of the lastall-gun Baltimore-class cruiser in the United States Navy.