Bob bought WABX in 1983 to make an entry into the Detroit market. He initially brought in the late Paul Christy to program a CHR format, replacing the legacy AOR format. It was an attempt to take on WHYT, which was programming Mike Joseph's Hot Hits at the time. The CHR format didn't fare so well and lasted less than a year, although I remember listening to it and though it was very well-executed. WABX's CHR approach was more free-form as where WHYT was tightly structured in regard to both music and air talent. Cap Cities was a bigger company with a bigger budget for promotion and giveaways, which is probably what kept WABX from picking up steam.
WCLS (Class FM) was Bob's second attempt to make 99.5 a success. He brought in Tim Moore to set up a mainstream AC format closer to what was programmed on his other stations. Detroit had two established AC stations at the time (WNIC and WMJC), making it just a tough a nut to crack. I was working for WITL in 1995 when Bob met with the staff to announce his plan to buy the station. He described the Detroit experience as "getting his nose bloodied". Medium markets were his forte.
My prayers for Bob and condolences to his family.