This day is being filled with remembrances of those lost during the 9/11 attacks. Sadly, Bob Swanson a long time radio pro in our city died that very day from Leukemia with his wife by his side.

I didn't know Bob well but he always had a kind smile and upbeat presence. I worked with his son at Z100 for a short time and knew his wife as well who worked at KEX.

My thoughts are with them this day as well.

Bob Swanson. Absolutely, positively one of the good guys! In a business full of fragile and temperamental egos, he was (simply put) 'cool'.

His son, Gus: the greatest Promotions Director that I have ever worked with.

You nailed it Lander. Go to hear from you bro!

I worked with Bob Swanson for a number of years at KEX. He was a true radio pro, with a wicked sense of humor. When someone would call the KEX request line by mistake and ask for someone, say, Judy for instance...he would tell the caller, "oh, I'm sorry, Judy can't come to the phone right now..she's in the back room drunk!". The caller would usually say something like "oh my goodness, I didn't know she had a drinking problem"...and Bob would respond with "oh yeah, she's hidden it well for years, but this morning it just caught up with her. We're letting her sleep it off, so I don't want to disturb her right now." Swanson would often record the calls and later play them for me and the late Bob Chase. We would be rolling in laughter.

Chris, Lander...you are absolutely right, Swanson was "one of the good guys". He is truly missed.

Interestingly, Mr. Swanson is still heard at our local Fred Meyer as the Voice of various generic announcements......!

Is that the case in Portland also? A couple local clerks here were shocked when I told them the friendly professional voice had passed away several years ago.

PMJ is someone I miss as well. Back in 74 while living in Silicon Valley, I came upon this British fellow on 1190 and I thought this is giving Portland air waves a touch of class I am making a list of people who have left us a bit too soon. I will share it on PDX soon. We much later IMed each other he being in Lancashire and I in Puyallup at the time. I recall Bob too. I wish these radio folks wouldn't leave us so soon.

kkb-Are you sure you're not thinking of the late great Tom Michaels another legendary voice talent in Portland and many years with Fred Meyer?

My wife does the female instore "Help in the bottle return please" which she did back in 1995 and is still used to this day.

Bob was a total class act and so damn smooth on the air. A true pro and PDX radio legend.

Chris- Its Bob.....I haven't heard Toms voice at Fred Meyer in a long time...though I do remember hearing it well after he had passed away.

Okay kkb thanks for the clarification.

Stoner I couldn't agree more.

BEYOND RADIO BOB DID BARBERSHOP QUARTET MUSIC, CORRECT? AND I REMEMBER HIM PARTICIPATING IN THE OREGON HISTORY CHAMPOEG PARK PROGRAMS...HE WAS WELL ROUNDED IN HIS ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS APPROACH...

Yes Rick. He was a fine singer and quite a showman.

He even dabbled on this board from time to time.

Imagine my surprise 10 years ago when the girl I was dating brought me home to meet her parents for the first time. That was the first time I met Bob...her dad.

bobswanson will be greatly missed by everyone in the business, imho