R.I.P.: Bob Kopler, Veteran Pittsburgh Radio Reporter

Former Pittsburgh radio broadcaster and newsman Robert “Bob” Kopler, who began a trend-setting radio career at age 15 in Johnstown, Pa., has died at the age of 81, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Bob Kopler

“When he delivered news, it captured your attention,” said P.J. Kumanchik, current news director of KDKA radio in Pittsburgh and a colleague who worked alongside Mr. Kopler for more than 30 years. “The efficiency of how he wrote things and how he delivered it was magic.”

Kopler spent more than 45 years in the Pittsburgh media market and won numerous awards as a radio broadcaster. His last 19 years on the air were with KDKA-AM radio as the morning news anchor.

“He was the ultimate news guy,” Mr. Kumanchik said. “He had a desire to put out information quickly and efficiently.”

“And he had a voice like no other. A booming, authoritative voice,” he said.

The notable news personality possessed a demeanor that was “extremely professional” and serious when it came time to deliver the news, his colleagues said. “He’s a guy that would push the limits and boundaries,” Mr. Kumanchik said.

But “when you peel back the layers of the onion, Bob had a real soft side to him,” Kumanchik said. “He was very committed to his wife Sandy and his two boys. He was a good man. The news industry lost a good news man.”